Written 9/21/2025.
I got in at 12:30 am this morning from my high school reunion. It was my 40th (I must have graduated when I was negative 20 years old :-D).
The organizers did a great job of making this a multi-day event for those coming into town. Thursday night was going to a bar and hanging out. Friday was feed my starving children volunteering along with the high school football game. Saturday was the big day, the morning was a tour of the high school, Foresters (choir) reunion, 90th school anniversary at Gorton Community Center, and finally the actual reunion at 28 Mile Distilling Company in Highwood.
I skipped most (next time I plan on going to most of the events). I’m in Naperville and all events were around Lake Forst Illinois, at least an hour each way. Instead, I made sure to go to the choir reunion, see my aging parents, then the reunion. We’ll talk about each in turn.
First, choir. We are a tight knit group because we went to Europe together. I vividly remember Tim and I doing a walking tour of Zurich. It comprised of buying a beer at one beer truck (like a food truck, but serving beer), drinking it on our way to the next beer truck, buying another beer, and so forth. I spoke German, so freaked out our chaperones when they used to call our room phone for a check-in. It was a grand time.
Today’s event was held at Jenny’s house in Lake Forest and started at 12 pm. Due to packing, cleaning before leaving, etc. I didn’t arrive until 12:30 pm. I’ve learned to accept that if I’m going to be late, own it, arrive relaxed and happy to see people.
I pull up on the street behind Stephanie. We were in both cross country and choir together and I hopped out and gave her a big hug. She lives in California, and we see each other on FB, but nothing in person for about 5 or 6 years. It was great!
I walk through the door and see so many people I’ve come to love over the years. Even though I was part of the school for just two years (Junior and Senior year in high school), I’ve formed lifelong friendships.
There was a huge spread of food for lunch. 5 different quiches, salad, nuts, and even a dessert board. Hugs and more hugs. I sat next to Elizabeth (another cross-country choir person) and Susan was next to her. Susan is an art historian, but also a social historian and does genealogy now. She reads really nerdy books like how the transition from wood to coal transformed London society. The crazy part is my nerdiness then came out as I had read a book on the paving of London (its streets). Yes, I’m that kind of nerd. I mentioned that we had a published history of my family, but my dad lent the book out to someone and doesn’t remember who and the book was never returned. Fast forward later in the afternoon, I receive a FB message with a link to the online version of the book.
Have I mentioned that I have amazing friends?
After lunch and chats, we headed to the music room to sing some of our favorite songs from our tour. Mrs. Cecil, our choir director, was there to guide and direct us. Yes, she has to be in her 80s and loves to come out. The funny part is that she takes command of us, just like she did in the 80s. We shape up, get the notes right, and sounded pretty damn good! I am blessed to be a part of this group of people.
BTW, did I mention that Robert Redford and Mrs Cecil worked together in 1980 on Ordinary People which was filmed at our high school?
Here are some pics and videos.
Transcendent.
I left at 3:30 pm from the 12 pm to 2 pm choir reunion after helping out with cleaning up. If you’ve never stuck around after an event, then do it. You’ll have some of the best conversations during that time, plus get to hang out with the truly amazing people.
Off to my parent’s place. They still live in Lake Forest. My dad has full time care, and we don’t know how long he has left. My brother and I take turns checking in on them each week. I chatted with mom and dad, then took a nice nap. My mom took it upon herself to make dinner. Roast with gravy, salad, beans, baked potatoes, zucchini noodles with parmesan, and to top it all off. A homemade blueberry pie and ice cream. Pretty good for an 89-year-old.
BTW, she didn’t have to do this. It’s just what she does. My mom’s made 4 cookbooks of recipes that include family recipes to ones she really likes.
I got ready (changed tops and put on my suede shoes because, why the heck not) and headed over to the venue early.
Here’s another thing to keep in mind. Many times, getting there early allows you to see some of the main people without the crush of people and music blaring in the background. I could figure out where to park and casually stroll in and get hugs all around. I offered to help, but they had everything well in hand.
It was so nice to see so many people in person. Yes, we communicate via FB or text but sitting together, you really get to have a deeper, more meaningful discussion.
In reality, it was a love fest. No more cliques, no more striving, people are just happy you’re alive. About 30% are already retired. Right now, we know of 16 who have died (out of around 390).
We chatted; we drank (open bar - I had my one drink and then switched to soda and water); we ate; we hugged a lot; we took pictures.
I made it a point to talk to people I didn’t know (or forgot I knew). I call this “glad handing.” I do this a lot at professional events. Much like the bride and groom going table to table to say hi, I went group to group to say hi. It was fun and even found out someone lived a mile away from me. I’m having breakfast with her Friday.
Some other really cool things happened too. Like chatting with Greg and him saying that I inspired him by how much I dove into high school life. I mentioned how I had deliberately chosen to change my life when I moved from rural Ohio to Lake Forest. How I had never “fast danced” before and the first time I did at a school dance, I was alone until he came up and danced with me until others joined. I really appreciated him for this, even if he never knew it until this night.
What’s hard for me to conceptualize is that in 10 years, so many things will be different. Most likely my parents will be gone. My dog gone. I’ll be on Medicare. Not sure whether I’ll be working. I will be 90% out of insurance (no insurance agent truly leaves; they just work until they die) but hopefully writing and speaking around the world. Will I be happily paired up or married? I hope so, but ultimately, I have to leave that result up to God. I’m working on finding someone, but it’s up to God to guide me to that forever person.
Below, I’ll leave you with a montage of pictures. Yes, lots of “usies” but how else to honor each friend than to memorialize them with a picture. Unfortunately, for every usie, I forgot to take two.
I love these people.
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