"Where?"
"South Pasadena," I said laughing. "I was there for my high school reunion. You remember. I told you I was going. And I had such a marvelous time.
First, I was greeted by classmates I had long forgotten who looked pretty great in their Hawaiian-dressy garb.
Then there was the photo session. My picture was taken by the lovely Kelly-girl-and-friend who seemed to actually care that I might look my best (at least the best I can 35 years after high school.)
I proceeded on to the bar where Dan Hightower was pinch-hitting for the adorable Yuen girls-and-friends who came later to serve Tigertinis and Cabo Wabo Waboritas. At first I was a bit put off by the incredible blue of the Waboritas but decided that it was reminiscent the color of the tropical sea or the Montana sky after a rain shower and went for it. Tasty & potent.
The appetizers were delicious...you know, some of those giant oh-so-sweet shrimp and cheeses to create one's own bruchetta. Dinner was from Carmine's Italian Restaurant in South Pasadena. There was an antipasto salad and a Caesar salad, both of which I found incredible. I couldn't decide which of the interesting main dishes to take, having to choose from Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Florentine, Gumbi, or Pasta Marinara. So I had a serving of them all. Delicious. The Committee chose well and Karen Barron Crosby's crew did a masterful job serving the meal."
"So beyond food, what made it such a good time?"
"It was held in the Molins's garden...on Chelten there...From the street we walked down the long drive where Keith Yuen had tiki torches burning (I think I missed the part where he ran by in his Lava-lava lighting them), past the large lovely Craftsman home (you know, where Sarah O'Donnell Schultzman lived when we were kids), into the back where Karen, Keith, Debbie and crew had arranged the party...tables & chairs (of course, decorated in orange & black...even to orange & black fish as centerpieces,) a DJ complete with dance floor, bar & that terrific buffet."
"And?"
"Dana Miller told some jokes and stories. Bruce Stephens did an incredibly great poetry recitation."
"And...what was so great? Why did you have so much fun?"
"Well, you know I don't keep in touch with anyone from high school. I'm too busy and have grown beyond the high school scene. I don't live anywhere near there and even my folks have moved away.
It was the people that made the party so great. My classmates have grown into different, better, more complex and fascinating people. (God, I hope I have too) By now everyone is much more comfortable with themselves (after all, who really knows themselves in high school?) and are not adopting that know-it-all personae that put me off 'lo those 35 years ago.
They are doing amazing things. All have gone through trials and come out stronger. Some have had straight career paths. Other paths have been all ove the map. Each had a personal story that I found intriguing.
Although no one looked like they did in high school (and how could they? They've been LIVING, after all), I found that as we talked...sharing what life has handed us and how we have dealt with it...I could find the same young people I knew so long ago within their eyes...in a familiar gesture...in their laugh.
I was comfortable and comforted...meeting with this group of people, all of whom were trying their best to make their way in the great-big-world encountered after leaving the safe-haven of South Pasadena.
I can hardly wait for the next reunion, though it may take the committee the entire five years to recover from putting on this incredibly fun party.
I'm lobbying for a standing date for the second weekend in August every five ...for a hot-August-night-in-South-Pasadena party...where one can touch base with the past and go forward toward the future with the strength of that shared past...Wonderful...
Barb Doty Arehart