We are connected now…through internet technology….on facebook, myspace, email, photo sharing…every way you can imagine yet the years between graduation and today hold the reality of personalities formed early in a lifetime. Those brave enough to actually attend these reunions are always hopeful in the beginning, thinking people who they absolutely loved are still the same people…and, of course, those who they hated…have been served a life of hell for their sins.

There is always hugging and kissing and laughter in the reunion. Promises to keep in touch. Sharing of personal information that you would not share with your next door neighbor…but, nonetheless, shared with someone they haven’t had any contact with in 40 years…just because of this invisible, lifetime bond shared as an alumni.

As I veiw the interactive postings, little informational blurbs, see who accepts who as a “friend,” or family pictures, I am reminded of all the times in my past where I really wanted to go back to high school with the “life experiences from the school of hard knocks” to see if it would be any different. Maybe I wouldn’t tell a schoolmate that she didn’t really need a bra yet in the 8th grade…or, maybe I would say she looks better with a bra on…both being equally goofy statements. But, maybe I would say that I pray she never suffers from breast cancer and to flaunt them as much as she wants, while she still has them.

Recently, a young friend of mine asked me if he could see a picture of me when I was young. I showed him and he said, “wow!” I said, “it is amazing what years can do to change a person’s appearance” …and equally as amazing to change a person’s soul. I asked him if it was what he expected and his response was, “I had a feeling.”

I still find myself being critical of others at times, even though I know my time to be judged is on the same level. So, I try real hard to look beyond the wrinkles, weight, graying hair and deeper into what the individual surrounds him/herself with to keep them safe from teenage fears that few will admit are always laying dormant in the thing we call our self-confidence and self-esteem. I really try to forget all the bullies in school…who always seemed to have a little crowd following them so they would be left out of such treatment. 40 years or 100 years will pass yet high school will always be somewhere within each of us.

Life goes on, the reunion will fade back into the shadows and we will continue to live our lives the best way we can. We will get closer to our family or we will move further away. Whatever we do, we do to protect ourselves the same as we do when we lock the doors at night before going to bed….knowing full well and good that locks only keep innocent people out….and a lock on your heart only keeps the pain one or two layers below the good feelings.