All Nerved Up

(Photo from: Mishawaka High School Alumni Site)

This weekend is a big deal. Why is it a big deal? Because I will be attending my 20 year class reunion, that's why.

I can't believe it has been 20 years since I graduated from high school. That in itself is enough to make anyone feel slightly aged. But honestly, it seems like just yesterday I was walking the halls of Mishawaka High School eagerly anticipating graduation day! How could 20 years have gone by so fast, in the blink of an eye, I scarcely know.

I remember all the preparations, I remember the itchy, hot maroon and white cap and gown, it was sweltering with it on. I remember the excitement of hearing my name called and walking across the podium to receive the long awaited, hotly coveted diploma. That symbol of completion of 12 years of school. It is an icon of long days/nights and many struggles to make the grade. The precursor to adulthood.

I haven't attended any of my class reunions to date. This will be the first and probably only one I attend; and I'm All Nerved Up about it. I get very jittery in large groups of people. You wouldn't know it to look at me, because on the surface things appear to be fine. But underneath I am a nervous wreck, trying to hold it together. I call it my floating duck syndrome. I've talked about it before. I feel like a duck floating across a placid lake, so calm and peaceful on the surface, but below the water her little duck feet are feverishly paddling to keep her moving forward. That's me most days.

Now begins the worries of what to wear, how to do my hair and what to say to everyone. I mean, I don't want to say the wrong thing and look like a complete idiot. Then of course there is my memory. It is not a good memory and I am so hoping that I don't forget who someone is. I have already experienced this a couple times through Facebook and in person it is so uncomfortable to not be able to pull up a name to go with the face! I have the usual vain worries that any girl will have, running through my head too. Mine mostly revolve around my weight. I try not to worry about it, but it creeps in there anyway.

I'm also nervous because my husband forgot to put in for the day off, he is scheduled to work, and he doesn't get off work until 6:55 p.m. The reunion dinner we paid for begins at 6 p.m. So now I will arrive to the reunion dateless and without my husband, who should arrive later around 8 o'clock. His dinner will be cold by then and he will have worked 12 hours! With his drive time and shower time that's the soonest he can get there. So add it all up and I'm one nervous Nelly, to say the least.

I am glad that I've gotten to know several of my classmates more through Facebook. I feel like I know some of the guys and gals much better now, then I ever did in high school. That will make mingling and fitting in much easier.

Despite all my nerves, I am looking forward to the evening. It will be fun reminisce of the good ole' days at MHS! Once a Cavemen, ALWAYS a Cavemen!