I'm also 54. Popularity contest- absolutely not true! I live below the poverty line and all of my high school friends are financially very comfortable. I've been on reunion committees, attended reunions, and no one ever said a word about how well off they are, or how big their house is, the car they drive, or anything else like that. I strongly suspect that many people watch too many movies about reunions, but have not actually experienced reunions themselves. I've never felt in any way disrespected at a reunion because I am not as successful as my friends are. There was never anything but caring and love among my friends and I, and that remains.

What you have posted here, about taking care of your mom- that would most likely be the very thing your former high school peers would focus on.