Class Reunions

An interesting place to observe the effect of change in people’s lives is the quintessential class reunion. Class reunions are a great forum for understanding and accepting life’s many changes.

At the tenth class reunion many people seem to feel the need to display their accomplishments, especially material ones. The hottest new cars, trendy clothes (which still fit pretty well on many in this age group), expensive jewelry, and sleek, suntanned bodies are the norm of youth. With lots of physical stamina and resilience, individuals often stay up late and enjoy the class reunion party until the wee-hours of the morning. The next day, individuals look pretty good as they depart from the company of their former classmates.

During the twentieth class reunion, the narcissistic need to display status, wealth, and material accomplishment has diminished with many of these individuals trying to embrace adulthood and perhaps maturity. Although many continue to look healthy, others are slipping into the grips of bad health habits and misspent youth. Almost half are divorced and into a second marriage. Because individuals are older and perhaps wiser, they’re willing to wind-up the party a little earlier than they did ten years ago. Those that do stretch the evening too thin look a little worse for the wear when they depart during this reunion.

During the thirtieth year reunion, the crowd may be thinning somewhat and those in attendance enjoy looking back and reminiscing about the “good old days” without feeling the need to display any claim to fame. Some still look pretty good physically but many are definitely displaying the negative effects of gravity and/or unhealthy priorities. Married couples have navigated through many of the speed bumps and potholes encountered during earlier years of marriage and are glowing in grandparental delight. Most wind-up the reunion party at a very reasonable hour and look as well as can be expected the next morning.

Those fortunate enough to make it to the fortieth or even the fiftieth reunion are usually just glad to be in attendance, thankful for their health and grateful to be in each other’s company. The reunion party usually winds-up fairly early and most of these individuals simply wake up happy to be alive the next morning.

Change is inevitable, but remember, laugh lines and memories mean that you are truly living a good life. Celebrate yours at the next class reunion.