Only in my dreams (photo from web)
As a graduating senior I was asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” A gypsy. I was absolutely sure that National Geographic would pay me to write and take photos as I journeyed across America in a horse drawn wagon. Wasn’t like I knew anything about horses or wagons. Ah, the naivety of youth. Yet I’ve come pretty close to being a gypsy living in multiple different RVs for the past 24 years. And yet I still dream of the wagon.
Senior year
This will be my first high school reunion even though it’s the 40th. Yes, I’m a little nervous about seeing people I barely remember. Thank goodness for Facebook and a special class page that’s reintroduced me to some of those faces from the past. Except none of us really look like our yearbook photos. Ought to be interesting.
The adventure begins with a five hour drive to Las Vegas and dinner with my brother and his wife before flying out on a red-eye special to Chicago. Then pick up a rental car and head west to the suburbs where I’ll be staying with an old classmate. Of course I’ll have to drive through old neighborhoods and past houses that may not still be standing. Plus a ride out to Starve Rock State Park, a special place that always called my name, and hopefully hasn’t changed too much. Several reunion events are planned: Thursday Ladies luncheon, Friday night bowling, and Saturday night the big shindig. Plus our alma mater celebrates Homecoming the same weekend and we are invited to attend those festivities. Then Sunday I’m headed back to Chicago for the night and staying at the Marriott O’Hare for free due to my reward points. 
And way too early Monday flying back to Vegas.
(Cropped from 1971 polaroid)
What to wear? Sure wish I still had, and fit into, these hot pants and boots.
Have you attended a class reunion?
I’ve never been to a class reunion and I’ll never attend a class reunion. Ever.
Didn’t think I would either. Ever.
Enjoy…enjoy your time!! Jim and I attended our 50-year reunions. Judgments during the high school years fade over time and just familiarity with your classmates evokes moments of sharing. You will be the “Belle of the Ball” with your exciting experience! Safe travels…
Heck, I can barely remember those years, good, bad or ugly, so I hold no resentments. After all, it was the 60s and I was there. At least I won’t be a wallflower.
Bob and I (who went “steady” since 10th grade) attended the 5th just after we were married. None since. We were from PA and all family is gone from there so we never visit (nor do we want to). Really, I think your high school dream has come true. Have a great time! PS I think I had that same pair of boots in the 70’s when I also had a long shag cut.
I only have a few remote relatives left around Chicago and haven’t been back there since 1984. This will be interesting as I barely remember more than a handful of the names on the attending list. That includes my classmate hostess whom I’ve gotten to know in the last year on Facebook and I really like her. And I do think my high school dream continues to come true in many ways.
I screwed up an ankle in those boots. We are kindred spirits.
what is the point, with my memory…i can’t remember what i had for dinner last night, much less what i did 30 years ago =o/
you sure did look hawt back then chickie! (not that you don’t look hot now but those short shorts and go go boots really spiced things up =o)
Thanks Sandy, said with a blush. I once was a go-go girl.
I don’t really remember most of the classmates signed up for the reunion so it will be like meeting new folks, and that’s OK with me. Especially with revisiting the area after 28 years away. Just wish I could spend more time for extended exploring.
I’ve never been to a class reunion – did not hang around with any kids at school. Have fun in Illinois, especially Starved Rock – that is a favorite place of mine, too. I went to Gage Park High School, near 55th and Western on the South Side of Chicago – not too far from Downers Grove. I’m not sure when/if I will ever go back to Illinois. I talked to my Dad the other day and he wants to take the train from IL to Texas this winter. So now I don’t have to feel guilty about not returning there for the holidays. I graduated in 1975, my sister graduated in 1973 – I remember hotpants, don’t think I have any photos of me wearing them, though. There was even a bar/nightclub at 51st and Ashland called “hotpants”. LOL, funtimes.
In the last two years of high school I didn’t hang out with classmates much either. Most of my friends and boyfriend had already graduated. Didn’t go to prom or homecoming my senior year. Yet the area still holds many memories beyond school. Wish I had more time to explore but Starve Rock is at the top of the list.
Nice that you don’t have to return to IL, especially at holiday time. Will your Dad spend the winter in TX?
Why am I singing “who wears hot pants? we wear hot pants….”……. Have a wonderful time!!! Hot pants or not. I bet everybody will be raving jealous of your lifestyle!
I’m sure my lifestyle will be unique to most of these folks.
Good luck on your reunion. I have my 40th next year in Albuquerque and I don’t think that I’m going. My best friend in school is dead, my second best friend turned out to be a real jerk wad. I attended my 15th and had a pretty good time with classmates that I didn’t know when I went to school.
I decided that I wanted to be a chemical engineer in my sophomore year in high school and by gum, that’s what I be.
I think it’s rare for people to continuously and happily follow their high school dream. Or any dreams for that matter. Good for you. None of the people I really knew are on the attendance list. Reunions are probably no more their thing now than high school was back then. I still think it will be fun.
That first photo of the “gypsy” is in my dreams too. Next life I’m going to have legs that long. I’ve definitely still got the attitude, just never had the body.
I had nothing in common with anyone in high school so I’ve never been back and have no desire to. Hope you have fun and lots of stories to tell. Any old flames to meet up with???
Maybe one old flame, and my first date in high school. After that my boyfriends were always older than me.
Have a great time!
I only went to one reunion and felt out of place. I don’t think I will try it again.
LOVE the hotpants and boots. You were certainly a lot cooler than I was at that age. Have a GREAT time!
You’re going to have a great time. It already sounds like fun. I think you look great now. It’s amazing how fast it flies by but like you said, facebook has been nice as we all kind of stay in contact which is bizarre but fun. I’ve never gone to a reunion. But I’ve heard that our last one was a blast:) Have fun. Be safe and hope you reconnect with lots of wonderful people.
As for the gypsy bit…..I too have been fascinated by them. Very interesting people to be around….nice people….but I’ve had to watch my wallet:)
This gypsy only steals fun minutes in life. Thanks for the compliment Chris.
You’ll have fun. I went to my 20th and it was a blast. Everyone got a name tag with their senior photo on it….just in case… I haven’t been back to another since I live so far away and am never there when they have them, and also because I had such a good time at the 20th, I think any other would be second-rate. But we’ll see in 2015….that’s the woo-hoo 50th….
Don’t know if I’ll ever attend another reunion so will make the most of this one.
I attended my 50th. That was the first one and probably the last one that I will attend. I had a good time but not good enough to go out of my way for another one.
I’m supposed to have my 20th next year. Sure hope somebody will organise something. I’m looking forward to hear how your’s went.