[alieninshadows]

I've never had a high school reunion, or never been invited. But I can only view these cliché events as more of opportunity to check out and compare yourself to your old classmate's successes over the years.
I imagine myself being the wallflower as I used to be, but this time trying to find a nook to hide in. Hear the exciting tall tales of trips to Hawaii while viewing stock photos you recognize while scanning tropical pics on Google Images, and witnessing dramatic body alterations of those who once bullied you, signs they had less self confidence than you. Makes you feel all gooey and warm inside that karma is now catching up. Of course, the karma is only realized by you as the original word stabbers regurgitate their cruel smites, often with no instigation or evidential memory inducer produced in the photo they are commenting on. It begs the question deeper into your mind. WHY? Why is placing an adhesive strip in my tresses so titillating? Why are you reminiscing when the persons you are glancing at have nil to do with your nonsensical prank?
And, ah, yes, I remember you. You were not exactly my friend, now were you. You hung out with the very people who swirled spirals in everyone's eyes and prompted admiration. But I do know you were not the evil one. We 2 seem to have things in common and it's really a shame that we weren't good friends in school. Missed opportunity that was sacrificed in the name of popularity. Or was it? Hello! I gave you the digits to get ahold of me on that device best used to contact people who are not present in the same building. Why is it that I call and you never answer or check your voice mail? Each time. I assume you are not sincere in any desire to befriend me so I shall end this ferris wheel right here.
Going back to the beginning, I stated I have never been to a high school reunion. Nor do I want to be invited. However there is a place where you can find out where your old school mates have ended up and, trust me, not everyone grows up at the same rate. Some are slower than others. Some never learn. Some show their true colors. I'm talking about a little place called Facebook and, yes, those are all situations I've been in while looking up and contacting old peers. Who needs to go to another uncomfortable, awkward formal where the only outcome is me being snubbed and alienated for a 3rd time.

My 10 year reunion was a pivitol moment in my life. I didn't want to go but my parents hijacked my kids, gave me money for a tank of gas and arranged for me for a place to stay.

It ended up being a confidence building exercise.

I was the wallflower, the picked on student, terrified of the 'great-oh's'.

The popular boys had grown up and moved on. The popular girls never grew up at all. They were still *****es concerned with appearance and still were in their clique, still looking down their noses, still total turds.

Guess who ignorred them? Yep. the previously great-oh guys hung out with the rest of us women and I really had a good time. For the first time in my life I felt some sense of worth. With the confidence I returned home and had the strength to leave an abusive husband. I only wish I had that confidence back now.

Due to a conflict I was unable to return for the 25th but I hear it was the same - everyone got along together and had a great time except for - you guessed it - the same clique of great-oh girls.

[Septembersrain]

I actually went to one. I realized we'd all changed so much. I think it's crazy how time can do so much...

Sent from my iPhone 6s using Tapatalk.

[*Laurie*]

I've been a member of my high school reunion committee for our past two reunions. You might be very surprised...people really do grow up, mature, and change. At my reunions I ended up having fun with women who had been bullying toward me when i was in school years ago. There really are lots of surprises at reunions, most of them good! And honestly, there is not much comparing. Everyone had grown older, everyone has had his/her share of tough times. I think it's important not to decide what your reunion will be like before you attend it.

[ChipperMonkey]

I've skipped out on all of mine because I have nothing in life to brag about! Seriously though, my version of hell is having to go back and talk to those people and be grilled about my life for 3 hours. No partner, no kids, no career. Graduated at the top of my class with soooo much promise only to end up on disability at the age of 30. I don't want their pity and I don't want them sticking up their noses at me. I can't wait until I can leave this town....

ChipperMonkey - I completely understand. Fortunately at the time of my 10yr reunion I did have stuff to show for myself. But.... I could not handle one now for the very reasons you listed. I just could not tell people about the state my life has become. In a way I am going through that now as I write my holiday greeting card letters. There are those from school I only stay in touch with this time of year that I couldn't possibly disclose my life to.

[*Laurie*]

In my experience of attending reunions, no one actually wanted to hear anyone's life story. The Hollywood movie concept of the 'golden boy' or 'golden girl' standing with a rapt audience at the high school reunion, bragging about how successful life is for him/her is just that...a scene from someone's imagination. In reality, who wants to hear about the car you drive or the house you own? No one. People come to reunions to have a fun evening, not to compare and contrast.

[StarGazingFish]

i never connected with people so ive grown up without friends/allies,i cant really imagine how a school reunion woud go,itd be people saying how great they are and how successful their lives have been,and then theres me-the severely autistic trans man who has 24 hour 2:1 care,wears a padded helmet,still wears nappies and industrial strength ear defenders and has no life.

id never attend a school meet up unless it was my special high school,id have to explain the transgender side of me for one thing,i was trans even as a toddler,so the educated ones will probably say 'i knew there was always something different',but the less educated ones will still see me as gay and a tom boy-something i was badly bullied for.

My 30th one was this year. I never went to any of them. Figured, why go see a bunch of people I couldn`t stand back then. I am pretty sure I am not going to like them now...