40th High School Reunion

Last Saturday, (April 24) I attended my 40th High School Reunion from Fresno Academy. We were the class of 1970. I had tried to find out who, if any of my classmates were going to attend. After all, it is a 3 hour drive to Fresno and I hate driving, especially by myself. I managed to reach one of my classmates, Ken Mitchell (who was the inspiration for me naming my firstborn son, Kenneth.) He was not planning to attend. Somehow, I convinced myself to make the drive down not knowing who, if any, of my class would attend. I remembered my 20th reunion when only 3 of us showed up.

















Linda and I

When I arrived, I looked at my class check-in list. I seemed only one person had showed. I made a mental note to try and find her afterwards. For some reason I didn't want to sit down. I was afraid I would miss someone. My hunch was right. Linda Taverez Paoli was on her way out the door just as I was walking back in. We nearly ran into each other literally. And we hugged and talked for the next, oh, 45 minutes. What a treat! Linda and I had so many trivial fights during high school. It was just so awesome to look back and realize how trivial all that was. And we discovered both our youngest children were single - she has a 25 year old girl - of course the plot has already begun.





















Linda's children. Her single daughter is on the right.

Classmates at Cheesecake Factory.



What I found the most refreshing out of this experience is seeing myself in a new light - less of an "underdog" I guess. In fact, it seemed my classmates also viewed me as "more fun". I don't know what it is about connecting with people from my childhood, but I find something very comforting in revisiting my past. Maybe I just need to compare who I was with who I am.

The most distressing part was learning of the deaths of some of my classmates. A total of four from my class have passed away. Danny Royer from AIDS, Don Lovan from a tragic car accident. Marilyn and I both dated Don Lovan. Dusty Crawford died from cancer 5 years ago. Henry Moreno, a classmate I barely remember, died but no one knew how. That's about 25% of our class already gone. It's sobering.

We promised each other to keep in touch. I feel fortunate that already one classmate has contacted me.

To think that I nearly decided not to go because of my dislike of driving. What a wonderful experience I would have missed.