After the reunion, I have had time to reflect on my experience and why participating in it was so important to me.

First, I had not had an opportunity to attend ANY of my HS reunions.  I had been in CT when the 10 year occurred and I had not heard about it either.  Whatever others there were, I did not know anything about them either, until I "found" myself being looked for by the reunion committee, when I googled my own name.  Imagine that!

That discovery was right before the 25th Central Reunion and I had every intention of going.  But, right before the reunion date, I was laid off from my job...still planned on going.  But then, I had the great opportunity to travel from FL where we lived to interview for an ACTUAL job in TX (there weren't any in FL at the time).  Unfortunately, that event coincided with the Central Reunion and though I am not ANYTHING like the Linda you knew in Jr High, I still have not figured out how to be in two places at one time!

So, for me this was a first.  The first chance I had to catch up with people who I hadn't seen in years, that I was sad I had lost touch with.  And, having done so much volunteer work in the past, I just knew the reunion committee would need help.  So I volunteered.  Planning a reunion is a labor of love for the classmates of old -- or none of us would have done it, as I assure you the work was long and laborious.

Spending hours on the phone reminsicing with classmates was one of the most wonderful parts of helping plan this reunion!  While travelling from Dallas to Branson on my family's summer vacation, I spent the whole drive talking to (or leaving messages with) former classmates.  That 10 hour journey had to have been one of the longest drives ever for my husband and kids....one more time hearing "Hi, this is Linda Bloomfield from Parkway East.  I'm calling on behalf of the reunion committee to let you know we're planning a 30 year reunion....blah, blah, blah..."  I think they might have screamed.  But they were patient with me and it was a perfect opportunity to get that job done.  I located many of you during that trip!

Someone sent me a message that said a "rouge classmate" (that meant someone not on the reunion committee, that was not communicating with us either - LOL - we would take all the help we can get, I assure you) - was planning a tour at East.  We kept waiting for the details, which never came.  So, with less than a week before the reunion, I decided that our "rouge classmate" had a great idea and I called the school to find out the details so I could post them for everyone.  The school had not heard about this, but they were willing to let us come in and visit our old stomping grounds.  For the nine of us that experienced the tour, it was nothing short of a time warp kind of feeling.  Hope more will join us when we do another.  For those of us that experienced it, it was one of the most amazing parts of the reunion (without it for me, the reunion would not have been complete -- even though without it, I would never have realized I missed something special).

Then we lunched at Culpepper's -- what a fun experience!  I made friends with people that knew me (but didn't KNOW me) in Jr High.  What I mean is that they knew who I was, but they did not really know anything about me...and besides that, they were amazed at what a different person I am today.  Yes, 30 years has a way of changing us.  But I have to say, that my shyness was very painful in those years.  And not being part of the "fun" was very painful too.  So, my experience at East, feeling so alone, while I wanted so much to be part of what everyone else seemed to be having so much fun doing...that forced me to change from being an introvert to what most at the reunion would tell you is the EXTREME opposite.

It was not a good feeling being left out of the crowd, even though I did well academically.  I would have traded my grades for Sonya's talent at "making friends" in a heartbeat!  But, I would not be who I am today, without having had those experiences and every person at East, teachers and classmates, helped in my growing experience!  So, the pain had a purpose.

So, going into the reunion, I have to admit I was a little afraid that those old insecurities would return.  That I would, once again, become that girl who was too afraid to say what I was thinking for fear that everyone would laugh at me...or that what I had to say just was not terribly interesting (maybe it's NOT!), or that I'd just plain old be rejected.  FEAR, that is a word that keeps a lot of people from doing what they want in life.

In Jr High, my comfort zone was tiny and I never left it!  Now, I'm not sure my comfort zone has a limit, because I have forced myself out of it so often.  If you have not tried that, I suggest it wholeheartedly, because you will experience things you never believed you could do!  And you will be amazed at the person you will become.

At the reunion, I saw and talked to people I really believe never knew I existed back in Jr High.  Maybe they did, but I sure did not know they did!  It was a warm feeling to be greated so kindly by so many.  And I heard over and over again, "you are NOT the same person you were in Jr High."  I can truly thank GOD for that -- and I don't mean that figuratively either!

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  I made friends with people I never thought would give me the time of day...and my life will be richer for those new friends.  I reconnected with old friends with whom I had lost touch.  Our friendships will now be rekindled.  This reunion stretched me yet again and I hope that those of you who did not make the reunion because of the same fears that I had, will realize that there was a room full of LOVE for one another at Llyewlyn's that night.  People who know they shared a very special time of their lives with YOU and they want to see how YOU are doing.  They truly ARE interested!  Don't sell yourself short.  If you can make the next reunion, I think you will be amazed that people change...that those cliques are gone...that this group of people is full of concern for what is happening in YOUR life.

I am so glad that I did not let anything stand in the way of attending this reunion.  thank you to everyone that touched me (OK, I'm talking about my heart!!) and blessed me Friday and Saturday, October 2,3 - 2009.  I am forever indebted to you!

One outstanding individual I have to mention by name because she offered encouragement to me while I did a very difficult thing...Leslie Stevens, thank you...I had something I felt passionate about that I felt needed to be said (specifically recognizing our six classmates who have passed on)...you guided me as I attempted to settle the crowd (which was not going to occur) and still you encouraged me to continue.  These are the things friends do...Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Since the reunion, I settled what for me was a "conflict" with a classmate (the "conflict" arose during the reuion planning), who was unaware a conflict even existed.  And out of that, another friendship has blossomed.  For that one, I am truly amazed, because I thought there was not a THING that would create a friendship between the two of us.  I was SOOOOO wrong.  We have since found MANY things and I hope that he knows I will be his friend as long as he wants my friendship!  He says I don't have to apologize, but I do, as others were aware of my feelings and for that I am truly sorry!

So mighty Eagles, let's Soar!  Thanks for a great night!