An Unusual Venture

I stepped out of my forward motion last night to fly backwards and attend my college '50th reunion.  I brought my friend D90 with me so I could take some shots and get some focus on what was going on about me. 
In many ways, it was as it no time had passed. 
The class leader remained a kind, gentle but oh so competent woman.  She did a little organizing and made sure needs of several were tended to.  I even got my few minutes of chat. 
The groups that always sat together sat together... the leaders there.. the smart quite ones there and the rest scattered about.  There were more followers than leaders and even one that really did not shine as an undergrad would soon be given a award for shining as a graduate.
One of my classmates whom I found had removed my only cashmere sweater to her own locker in our junior year, made an entrance and you knew as you did then, that she had many cashmere's at home and took mine because she could.
There were six that were listed as having passed.  That shows what tough stuff we were since at ages 71-72 out of the 74 only 6 died.  One of my closest friends at the time, one who helped me not quit high school did not graduate at the last minute.  Her best friend had died in our junior year and she was never the same.   I knew she had died also, but I guess she didn't count for the friend that died early was mentioned..by Molly was just lost again
I kept my seat tag in my pocket until everyone had selected their seats.  It was fun to see the same drama that I saw in college.. sit here.. sit at our table.. etc.. and of course.. my sweater napper was at the "in group table".... 
In college, it was very important for me to be there.. and now.. wherever.
I ended up sitting next to the college pres. who had spent a year in Bangkok.. go figure.  I felt badly for him, for giving to this college is not on my list.
One person told me several times that she and her husband had made A LOT OF MONEY. She can give.
Another, a very quiet classmate had gone into real estate and my research says they have bought and sold half of southern CA... Guess she learned to speak up.
I got to see Marty that helped me like beer..She was the class non-catholic...  she doesn't drink anymore and has some mobility issues.  But I still think of her every time I have a Chang.
I sat next to a woman who found her husband dead in the bed next to her one morning. She does taxes for the needy and makes the knit things that were always delivered to the folks at the nursing home.  I didn't tell her that they really are used by the staff who put them on and over the severly demented.
Several were concerned that I was driving to Rochester.. lordy..  they should see me walking the streets of Asia at 1 am.... There is an advantage of being by yourself.. you just do or as Helen Keller said, live is either a daring adventure of nothing.
At the end, I had a very nice conversation with a classmate that I had probably only said five words to in four years.. she also is a veggie person.. has her PhD and does work in Alzheimers...  and there was a connection.  I even gave her my card and hopes she connects.
Someone asked who else was in sociology.. if it meant a million bucks.. I could only think of two.. and only one was there. I don't think it is forgetting.. it is just replacing.  My life has moved on. 
I am glad I went last night.. but I am glad I followed a different path after I left the steps of the college. It was long ago.. I guess I was once apart of that.. I have my Who's Who Certificate and I know I was active in school..... and the picture in the yearbook looks familiar.. but who was that person.....I can only see a little of her in bonnywithy...