Reunions

I met up with some old high school folk last night, many of whom I had not seen in almost five years. It’s always great to see how everyone’s doing—people are either working or going back to school, and all are going on being their brilliant selves. And while much has changed in their lives (clothes, location, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc.) fundamentally they’re still the same people I enjoyed being around.

As much as I love reconnecting with people, I’m always a little wary of these reunions. Conversations inevitably lead to reminiscing about past people and events. Those were some of the happiest times in my life, to be sure, but I don’t like to dwell too much in nostalgia because it conjures up regrets for me. Also, talking too much about the past makes me feel as though I’m still stuck there, as though I haven’t fully moved on, yet (and I am constantly striving to ‘move on’). But I’ve realized that moving on from something shouldn’t automatically render it loathsome or irrelevant.

It’s only a minor aversion (a neurosis I just need work out on my own), though, one that is greatly outweighed by the stories and laughs exchanged between people whose company I enjoy. That, and delicious tofu.