Reunion

I went to a reunion the other night. I’d like to say I got all gussied up, but I didn’t. Wore a sweater and jeans, combed my hair, put on lipstick and glued a smile to my face. I have managed to avoid all of my high school reunions because I still keep in contact with the people with whom I hung around, so I figure why bother.

However, this reunion was not high school. It was Central Texas Youth Camp, the church camp I went to in some version for 8 years, both as camper and counselor. As with most gatherings of this nature, I was on the fringes, talking pictures, making small talk. Hi, how are you? Fine, great, good, busy, working, you know the superficial platitudes that come so easy at these things. I watched my Dad working the crowd, and my mom running around in her apron. My brother was the official MC so he kept the slide show running and things on track.

My great nephew made the rounds as everybody wanted to see him. He was among the youngest to attend, and my parents were probably among the oldest. I land somewhere in the middle. Hoping I didn’t look as old as some of the people. Yes, it was great to see them. I sat waiting for my friends to show. There were about 8 of us that were almost inseparable. I knew of two others that were coming. Almost bolted until I looked up and there was one of my BFFs from that time coming in the door. I made a bee line for him and we spent the rest of the evening catching up on stuff. Talking through the starlight devo, like we used to do. In church we would pass notes back and forth till one day his mom came and sat between us. We thought that was hysterical.

Some of the friends couldn’t make it because of distance, from down near Conroe, TX up to the Wisconsin border, and they were missed. Some couldn’t make it because they left this earth way too early. We talked about them, and remembered, which I guess is the main purpose behind a reunion. To remember the good times and bad, the laughter and tears, what we meant to each other and how special those times were. How close we all were, and how far apart we are now.

Makes me think of another reunion. The BIG reunion. The one where I will be ushered into heaven and everyone that’s gone before me will crowd around to say hello. I think of my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my baby brother that I never got to know and friends. I don’t think I’ll be hanging around on the fringes on that day. I don’t think the talk will be superficial, and the tears will be of joy at seeing them again. At some point the crowd will part and my big brother will show up. And we’ll get to spend some time together, just he and I. And we’ll laugh and dance and sing. Yes, dance. I think in heaven even church of Christers will be allowed to dance! What a day that will be. Umm, but not just yet, okay?

Enjoy the day.

Stevie

copyright 2010, Stevie Stevens, Fort Worth, TX. For information faithleap@sbcglobal.net