8th Grade 30th class reunion

Last night was my 8th Grade 30th class reunion.
For those who showed up it was a great time. For those who didn’t you were deprived of the company of some astounding people.
I wasn’t overly popular back then and some of these people I didn't even hang out with, but I like nostalgia. And sometimes connecting with our past (not living in it) can make the future a bit easier. I got to thinking about what motivates some people. Ones I didn't expect to see were there and ones that I expected didn't come. Some didn't come because they had family commitments and others for reasons no one can fathom. But for those who didn’t come because they didn’t like so and so (because there were people who didn’t come for that specific reason) you must remember that holding onto past transgressions, moulds and shapes your todays when you let your past run your future. I learned that the hard way. Some of us discussed our childhood insecurities and how we've out grown them. And the more I thought about it, I'm glad certain people didn't come because they are not going to have enjoyed themselves because they're unhappy with who they are. I am having a hell of a time with my life right now, but I don't let it interfere with my friendships or socializing. That is what school was about more than the education, is the socializing of our children, to each them to interact with others in an appropriate manner. And any of us who have been through school know, children don't always act appropriately....but then again they're children. But as parents we can’t leave it all up to the teachers to teach, we need to teach too; manners, behaviour and most of all dignity. I was the "fat kid" got made fun of tormented and made to feel inferior. The last time I came home in tears my mother calmly said. "You're giving them what they want when you get upset. They're looking to get a rise out of you. Stop and see what they're doing and try to see the humour in it." So, I took her advice and laughed instead of crying and they stopped teasing. I think all in all, we take ourselves too seriously. It takes a lot to offend me; I'm more offended by ignorance than childish remarks about my weight. I was glad to see each and every face last night, even though my middle school years were not good ones for me personally. People change and then some do not. It's the ones who don't change who make life difficult for those around them and it just strengthens my belief that life isn't about birth and death it's about what you do in between and the lives you indelibly affect. The nicest thing about last night, is that I was warmly remembered because in my young mind I wasn't all that popular......but in the end; maybe I was more than I thought.