"The Gathering"

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On a warm and crystal clear October afternoon the Class of 1981 assembled for their 20-year class reunion. As we pulled into the parking lot one by one, a look of bewilderment came over our faces as we realized- "these people don't look familiar!" I pulled up in my red Dodge with a license plate that says "BE FRANK" (you'd think that would be a dead giveaway) and yet Tim Jenkins, a lifetime best friend and usher at my wedding... didn't know who I was! After a few stunned gasps, we all had a good laugh and began to stand around in a circle and ask the obvious questions- "How are you?" "How many children do you have?" "What have you been up to for twenty years?"... followed by statements like "You haven't changed at all!" "Your hair sure is gray" and "Man, are you getting a beer belly!"

The first arrivals were Sonja Baker Miller, Me, Tim, Kim Weatherholtz Burner, Lori Pirtle Seal, Esther Milhollan Clagett and her daughters from Denver, CO, and Richard Baker and his daughters, all the way in from California! We caught up on each other's lives, at least that which we didn't already know from trading dozens of e-mails over the past six months. Gradually, others showed up, giving the early arrivals a chance to figure out who was who by committee. This reduced the embarrassment factor!

Ray Cilimberg pulled up with his wife, Robin. He hadn't changed much at all, except that his monogram jacket (which he adorned for us) must have shrunk... it just didn't fit like it used to :)

We noticed a Vermont vehicle next- Bill Curley, wife Jen and 1-year old son Ben. Bill had his monogram jacket as well. It was slightly smoke-damaged from a fire, but seemed to fit much better than Ray's- I guess things don't shrink as much in colder climates :)

Mike Burner then came in with his wife and daughter. We traded bald jokes. Kemi Gochenour Emmert and husband Buddy were next. Then Chris and Ellen Funkhouser Sandridge, the only married classmates showed up. My stepson was particularly impressed that Chris worked for NASA! Barbara Ryman and Rhonda Grim Presgraves were there. Rhonda has made every reunion!

We talked and reminisced, laughed and smiled, and then it was time to go to the Homecoming "float"...