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It's Raining Reunions (1)

It seems that reunions are falling out of the sky. My 40th college reunion is next May. I haven't been to a college reunion, except my fifth, and I did have a good time. But on the whole I have mixed feelings about college and I haven't thought of going to subsequent reunions. I do keep up with a handful of friends -- including K. and my roommate, Jane, who lives down the street. They are among my closest friends I could ever have and feel blessed they are in my life forty-three years after we first met.

For the last few years a woman I was friendly with in college, Mona, has been in touch with me about donations to the annual fund. Despite my feelings about the college, I have made small donations and we have had a nice email correspondence. Last month, to my complete surprise she asked if I wanted to be on our 40th reunion committee. My response was that I couldn't go to reunion as I hadn't kept up with my "group" of friends and couldn't imagine going to reunion without them. For clarification, I went to a women's college and many people lived in "groups," moving each year to a different dorm with the same group of women. When I actually write this now -- forty plus years later -- it seems ludicrous. We keep friends, we make new friends, we change and we grow.

But I was stuck in late adolescence with this issue of my "group." Mona's response was wonderful and kind. Her suggestion was that by working on reunion I would make new friends. What a simple, smart and obvious suggestion. I realized by moving ahead into the future I could transcend the past. How wonderfully liberating.
I'm on the committee and next May I expect to be here, in one of loveliest of all New England towns, moving into the future.

The leaves will be green, not red, but it will be beautiful. 

11 comments

Unknown said...

Very wise, Mona. You will transition easily with new friends, Carol. You are a wonderful lady that is very welcoming to all she meets. What fun ... enjoy your new committee.
Have a great week ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog. I will back to read more of what you have to see. I like what I see. Susan

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I'm happy you decided to get involved with the reunion committee and will be attending the reunion, Carol. It will be fun for you to see the college campus again and get in touch with others from your years there. The campus photo looks lovely!

Sheilagh said...

Thank you for your comment sweet Buttercup, I hope Blogger lets me leave this comment. Ralph and I were looking at our holiday photo's on Friday. We so want to come back:)

I still remember that tomato soup and cheese sandwich, the conversation and the laughter. We talked about your collge that night, as we had been through the town and saw the bonfire being built.

It will be a great experience for you, then you can tell Trish and I all about it in September:)

Love and hugs

Sheilagh
xxx

Lorraine said...

40 years, wow! I graduated college 33 years ago and I can barely remember anyone's name from back then. I went to Seton in Yonkers and it closed many years ago. It was a beautiful campus on the Hudson River. I didn't dorm there, but I imagine living with a "group" all that time would be more memorable, both good and bad, hmm?

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a wonderful opportunity. What a gorgeous campus! Hope you have a very nice week.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I'm not a good one for reunions at all but I think it's great that you will be participating in yours. Making new friends is good but I think the old ones are sometimes best. Hopefully one way or the other it will be fun for you. Have a wonderful Monday!

Anonymous said...

What fabulous advise!!!

Barbara F. said...

I just know you are going to have a great time working on the committee and attending the reunion. Looks like a beautiful campus. xo,

Mary Bergfeld said...

I'm sure your experience at this reunion will be different than the first. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

happy to see you at farmhouse kitchen and happy to stop by here today...it's always good to see a friend

kary and teddy
xx