OMG! I went to my 20 year HS Reunion this weekend. I was really excited to go, although my memory is so short that I only remembered a few people and there were some I hadn’t seen for so long that I didn’t remember them and I had no idea what they looked like.. and my best buddy, Brenda, couldn’t go, so I was kinda bummed, because you know, the reasons you go to these things are to see the people you really want to catch up with, and hang with, and because, frankly, I know Bren still loves me just for me and nothing else matters.
And for the most part, I really did enjoy myself. Kevin is quite sure I could talk to a wall and that’s kind of the amusing part. Oh, I chatted it up with lots of people, and I was so thrilled, actually, at how almost everyone chatted back, and I really did feel that I caught up with a ton of people, but listen. There were two people in my class who I think didn’t care for me so much, or maybe just one and one that was a follower, and I had totally forgotten about them. And on the second day, even though they hadn’t seen each other for probably 20 years, they were together and I was there, and I tried to talk to them twice, and do you believe it, they didn’t talk to me! They talked to me separately when the other wasn’t there, but together, they actually DIDN’T TALK TO ME! It brought back a feeling of a memory, although not really a memory, because I really can’t remember specifics (some people from my class actually remembered teachers and events and all kinds of things about high school that I have absolutely no memory of, it’s wild..), but I do remember this feeling of inadequacy from them. And what’s amusing is, I had forgotten there were people who thought, or think, that I am inadequate! It kind of makes me giggle, in retrospect, considering my life choices and the places God has taken me. I don’t have the best memory, and I’m terrible at math, and sometimes, every once in awhile, I’m kind of an airhead, but I can’t remember the last time I thought of myself as inferior to any other person, or superior either. I’m just getting by like everyone else, and I’ve made so many awesome friends and I have family who love me, amazingly smart kids, a great job and an okay house (if not so clean is okay, but it’s okay to me), and I think wow.. how is it that we humans do this to each other.. that we can make people think they don’t measure up to some unknown scale?
I only wish I could tell my girls how really insignificant it all is, and how many places they’ll go and how many things they’ll accomplish in their future, so that they know that people who make them feel inadequate have no great secret, and that popularity is just a mirage, and they really can do anything they want to do. I wish I could get them through the next six or so years without anyone acting like they don’t matter or making them feel like they don’t measure up. I wish I could preserve every bit of their self-confidence and show them a picture of themselves in about 15 years. If you know a way, please let me know.
As for me, I’ll tell you who impressed me the most at my reunion.. my friend Julie. She was a great person in school, although extremely quiet and kind of nervous, but you’d never know it now. She was the most relaxed person there; she teaches school and has two children, one with a special need that requires special care, and she seems to have life all figured out. It’s a hoot how some people can really understand what’s important in life, and can deal with it so smoothly. I’m so thankful that Julie thought I mattered enough to talk to me. If I were to compare myself to anyone, I’d want to be like her. Life is funny.
Can you find me?
While we were in Toledo, we visited with family. I love them. I took the kids to the Delta Chicken Festival (oddly enough, I never did see any chicken). We had a blast. Here’s a few pics.. much better than the reunion pic. 
(Oh, this was at the fireworks, the kickoff to the chicken fest.) 
Me and my niece, Emma.. 
Oh, yeah, more fireworks. They were good, but not as much fun as the kids were to watch.. 
Baby Hope.. 
Faith, Grace, (Jenna) Joy, and Hope (I know it sounds corny, but just their names bring me peace.)
Sam, Jenna, and Kieren
Laura Jo and Hali
Meagan and Hannah
Jenna and Hali
Mommy and Jenna, self-portrait
Kieren, Jenna, and Hali
Kyle (or Caleb), Jenna and Hali
The Divas!
And, as scary as it is, and as much work and money as it would be, I would do it again in a minute were God to give us a push!
