Esotropiart

Okay, so I should say at least something about my 10-year high school reunion. I really haven't had a lot of thoughts following the event, or if I did, they are much lost already. I can certainly say I'm glad I went, in spite of the $40 per person price tag. It really was nice to see some of my former classmates and catch up on some of their lives and adventures. The only real downside to the Friday night (July 21st) dinner was that more students and teachers didn't show up. Yet the sampling was fun. In all, something like 24 showed out of our small class of 66 graduates - not a bad turnout percentage-wise, I guess. There was an unorganized day at the park the following day, but I opted not to go.

Our class, as any I suppose is, was full of cliques. There were the tough, often rebellious jocks, the brilliant blondes, the drama group, the laid-back mild cynics. And then there was the group I was part of: Some might call us the social outcasts, but we had popularity and respect in our own way - not picked on in the slightest. We were quiet, diligent in our work, and totally random in our humor. It was funny to see that the cliques have mostly kept together throughout this ten years. When people chose their tables, sure enough, the cliques almost invariably sat together.

I get the impression from what I've heard over the years that people often go or don't go to reunions based on issues like their appearance, status and success. Some people are worried what others will think of their lack of such things, while others are proud to flaunt their abundance of one or all. I simply don't care. Looking at what I have, I can't complain much (though I do in my weekness at times). God has provided for me, introduced me to an awesome loving wife, and kept me more-or-less on a path that leads me near Him and not doing horribly foolish things.

Going to a Christian school, there were a few thoughts and observations that probably wouldn't normally be part of the whole standard reunion package. One always wonders... "Hmmm... Is anyone walking with the Lord? Were any of these people really Christians, going to Portland Christian High School, or were they just going because of their parents' provision or control? Will any sort of religious or meaningful conversation arise in this room? It's really hard to make judgments on people's spiritual condition, but my general impression was that there was not a huge number of Christ followers in the room. Then again, passion often comes and goes with age, so maybe some were simply not outspoken about their state of being beyond the "Here's where I work", "Here's how many kids I have" and "Here's the places I have lived" conversations. Perhaps some people didn't come simply because they felt their way of living might not be "acceptable" for a Christian school reunion, or that a Christian reunion would be too tame and boring. Who knows. At any rate, it was interesting to see some who seem to have the same commitment, some who have had reversals, and others who have perhaps matured spiritually since high school. Speaking for myself, my journey has had its ups and downs, and I sometimes doubt I have the same youthful passion of yester-years. But I do sense God is in my life, and He isn't about to give up on this hopeless schmuck quite yet.

I won't talk too much about specific people and their stories, but I will mention that I had fun talking to Key, Micah, Dave L., Ed, and others. And of course it was nice to see Jim Guys (Dave, Jim & fam), but I have never lost touch with them anyway - except for Marcus. Too bad he didn't come.