It was a moment of perfect peace, in an otherwise wild, wonderful and chaotic weekend. Pork Chop and Pimento cheese biscuit in hand, I made my way to my old spot. The trees were bigger, tables and chairs had been added, but as I sat and tilted my head, eyes heavenward, the view was the same. It was unseasonably cool, a lovely breeze blowing - perfect conditions for remembrances. The high walled brick courtyard between the two Theatre buildings was my haven - my special place in College. It was the perfect setting to enjoy my breakfast before the madness of the day began..."The. Reunion." After all of the planning, the weekend had arrived. Thirty some odd years lay between most of us and our Graduation Day...
Between bites of biscuit (simmer down....it was a cheat weekend), I closed my eyes, and let the wind gather my thoughts and transport them to another day....another lifetime. Young, passionate artists tromped up and down the stairs of my memory....laughing, singing, arguing.....living. Tie Dye and leg warmers, gypsy skirts and gauze blouses, neckless tee shirts and tights - they were the dress of the day. Hair was long and crackling with vibrancy - beards were thick, and braids were king. Time steps, pirouettes and Jazz squares were more often than not modes of transportation. Emotions were worn on our sleeves as though they were precious jewels. We were friends, enemies, competitors.......family.
It was with a jolt of surprise that I opened my eyes to find myself alone in the courtyard wearing the modest dress of a middle aged woman - breakfast finished, break time over. As I stood and dusted the crumbs from my clothing, I wondered what the day would bring. Would there still be a commonality among us....those Theatre Major friends from long ago. Surely our paths had diverged and meandered so far away from each other....would we be able to recognize the original cloth from which we had been cut?
Never one to make social small talk, I nervously made my way towards the folks assembled in front of the Theatre that had given birth to our Adulthood. My fears were unfounded, as I found myself completely at home with the Grown Up persons that had once been my boon companions. The day raced by in a flurry of campus tours, Party set up, Donning my first Little Black Dress in 25 years, applying real eyeliner, and finally, walking up the polished marble steps of the Alumni House - having arrived at the Big. Event.
Stories were told....and retold. More than a few pictures of children and grandchildren were shown. Tears were shed when fallen comrades were remembered. Hugs and laughter and squeals of excitement filled the Alumni House with a golden warmth that enveloped each person there like a silk lined velvet cloak.
As the dancing began, we hit the floor to the disco tunes of our youth. Arms raised, heads thrown back - we spun in one accord, belting out the Chorus..."It's Rainin Men, Halleluljah,"...... The years melted away, and for an instant, all of those dear faces around me were as they had been, so many years ago. I was filled with a joy, the likes of which I have very seldom known. I was so present in the moment that it seemed frozen in a crystalline brightness. I was Twenty......and I was Fifty Three - all at the same time. I cherished the people that we had been, I marveled at the people we had become and I viewed the rugged miles and years between the two, as if in an out of body experience. My dance became one of Thanksgiving - for lives well lived, and a reunion of souls....long separated, but never forgotten. Thanks be to God, for the blessings of the day.
