Today I go to my 25 years school reunion. I penned down these thoughts for my school friends.
#Update@11 Aug, 2008: It was great to meet many of my friends. I will write about it later on.
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a thought which was planted in a jest
germinated few months ago
finally came to fruition after nurturing
did you ever imagine that you would
meet thus with all your girl pals
with whom you shared your girly thoughts
is it not beyond your wildest dreams
that after quarter of a century
you gather at the very same place
which prepared you for life, to face it
the way you are doing now;
indeed, you have come a long way
"Nonetheless, ask yourself, is it the end?
no, my friends, you still have to go a long way
just keep climbing the never ending stairways"
Oh, just beautiful! it points out the bittersweet quality of a reunion.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I've never been one for reunions, but you make some valid points here.
ReplyDeleteYou've really captured one of those look-back-and-forward pauses in life that can only come with the gaining of a few years. I remember sitting with friends in university in the '60s, figuring out how old we would be when the century changed. It seemed impossibly far away; it was yesterday.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, we do have a long ways to go. And how hard it would be without our friends!
ReplyDeleteThe first line really resonates with me because I did that once -- said something half-jokingly. The adventure that ensued was simply incredible.
ReplyDeleteit is nice to think that there is no end when the door is open...!
ReplyDeleteI went to my ten year reunion 33 years ago. I haven't been back. Somehow, going back feels like a step back.
ReplyDeleteThe meeting of (some of) best friends who promised to stay in touch all those years ago - and never did. I know I made the same promise - and to a large extent, broke it.
ReplyDeleteIt will be 50 years next spring since my high school graduation. I loved my girl friends so much. We have not gotten back together ever. So, in our minds eye, we have all remained untouched. I like that. But I envy your reconnection. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteb
This reminds me of being on the landing of a stairway ~ neither up nor down! A great write!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you all had such school spirit and were all so close that you were willing to get back together. Only a handful of people ever showed up to any of our reunions.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent poem, Thank you for sharing it.
I love this. I have had such a reunion after a quarter of a century, though with male friends. And we too continue the climb together.
ReplyDeleteGood poem.
ReplyDeleteI did this earlier in the summer. And you are right, my friend and I have traveled such different paths, but we both agreed the best was still yet to come.
By the way, her life turned out to be nothing like what I thought it would be. Surprise!
A school reunion is often full of surprise and what fun to see those who have chosen different paths after all beginning from the same old loitering spot at the base of the school stairwell. enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNext spring will mark the 55th reunion of my college class
ReplyDeleteclass of '54
the ever-winding stair
grows steeper
A long way indeed.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...25 years, huh? For some reason I always picture you as younger than me.
oh twenty five year re-union..I would love to meet my old friends in one such reunions..am sure there would be lots of pleasant surprises..
ReplyDeleteLife is a never-ending stairway! I've never attended a reunion. I didn't seem to like many of them way back when. Perhaps they've matured?
ReplyDeletei attended a forty year reunion last year (not high school, however), and it was amazing that we were all able to just pick up where we left off - we were a very close group all living in the same residence for three years, and the reunion showed me that we had bonds that would stretch endlessly without breaking - almost an extra family unit!!!
ReplyDeleteImpressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts around a reunion. I have never attended one of mine but often wonder what is happening with all those friends I haven't kept up with.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have those friends who you don't see for years, yet when you reunite you start up right where you left off. What a lovely poem...I've had so little time to write/look at blogs this past year and it's wonderful to read your poetry again. :~)
ReplyDeletewow...& it all seems to pass in the blink of an eye too. (i am 1 year shy of my 25th)
ReplyDeleteWe measure time by years...but our memories keep rolling endlessly. Life is eternal. Nothing stops at where it was earlier. The cycle will repeat. Perhaps at another time in our physical years, and that memory shall be woven unto the existing ones. Very beautiful capture Gautami. Keep up the good work. Tat Twam Asi
ReplyDeleteA lovely thought: that there are neverending stairs to climb.
ReplyDeleteive only been to a class reuinion once and never had the opportunity to go again. it was nice and a little tenderly sad to see hwo much we've move on with life's stairways
ReplyDeletesuch a lovely thought.Meeting you all was like touching the wires of forgotten old guitar . all??? few little wires were stirred and left....... humming in my head. now I feel what i missed in life.
ReplyDeleteI loved this poem. Very touching.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your reunion! I'm sure your friends will love your poem.
ReplyDelete"a thought which was planted in a jest
ReplyDeletegerminated few months ago
finally came to fruition after nurturing"
as we too mature from girls to women. Beautiful.
These thoughts are wonderful-makes me think!
ReplyDeleteNice! Thoughtful! A dozen or so of my classmates gather monthly for lunch and when I actually attend I find I'm glad I made the effort.
ReplyDeleteIts been awhile ...I seem you have lost touch with you ..I hope all is well with you ...
ReplyDeleteI moved so much I do not know where to start to search for my school friends
definitely enjoyed this... that special place you spoke of years ago to gather years later at the very same place... it is just as you spoke.. thank you
ReplyDeleteThat's such a formative and memorable time, maybe oftentimes for both better and worse.
ReplyDeleteMy pals and I had girly thoughts as well...
((((Gautami)))
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great time reconnecting. Sorry I haven't been by, very tired this week.
I absolutely love these lines:
ReplyDelete'meet thus with all your girl pals
with whom you shared your girly thoughts'
And:
'you gather at the very same place
which prepared you for life, to face it
the way you are doing now;
indeed, you have come a long way'
I just had my 25th reunion last summer, but we didn't gather at the school. We had a dinner at a swanky golf club. It felt more adult for us adults, but it definitely lacked the circularity of revisiting the scene of our nurturing.
Oh my goodness- it will 30 years for me this year... it makes one think how fast time flies, but grateful as well for good years past.
ReplyDeleteI loved my girlfriends, too- and miss them! I am sure they will enjoy this!
:)
The thought of a reunion back at my school fills me with horror! When the door opened and let us go for the final time we all went in different directions, and I'm happy to keep it that way.
ReplyDeleteA nice moment captured; I like it!
ReplyDeleteYes. The reunion is fraught with emotions, and the journey backward propels us forward.
ReplyDeletei have thought of going to high school reunions and wondered what it would be like. thanks for the glimpse.
ReplyDelete