Reunion Lunch

Kaye and I survived our reunion lunch.

It was a little easier to talk to people out in the garden area of the North Eastern Hotel as we were seated around a large table. We chatted in a less formal way which I found easier. We were all able to join in the conversation and nobody was left out. Photos were taken and there were a lot of laughs.

There were two long tables set up inside for the meal and we all made our way in there and took a seat at random. The "in" crowd, was still there though, and little groups of people gravitated towards 'like souls'.

Kaye and I made a point of joining the "in" crowd and talking to them. During the meal, however, the conversation quite naturally divided into the "in" and "out" halves of the table again. It seemed to be a natural choice for people to "tune in" to the conversations that interested them most, or the ones they could relate to easiest.

We talked long into the afternoon. Long past what we each thought would be possible. What should have been a couple of hours turned into about five hours, then we all said goodbye and drifted back to where we all came from.

All in all, an interesting afternoon.

Kaye and I retured to Glenloth to analyse our experience and add our own visions to each other's memories of the past and the present.

It's funny what sticks in your mind, and what doesn't. I was surprised to find myself catching up with people I had completely forgotten I went to school with, until I saw them again.

Apart from the odd uncomfortable moments, caused by stepping outside of my comfort zone and taking a chance on people I barely remembered, I quite enjoyed the experience.
They're planning a 40th year reunion in six years time.

I've already decided to go along, if I'm still around then.

I'm glad I took that chance and made the first step towards getting to know the people I didn't really get to know all those years ago.

Perhaps I have grown up after all. Perhaps I have moved on.