PK and I went to meet a friend we had not seen in nearly 40 years. I was unsure about the reunion before hand, and even more unsure upon returning home. This woman talked about getting together with us once a month now though that feels too often for me, and I confessed my uneasiness. Hopefully sleep brought some sense to her. It feels as if I don't have time now for the people with whom I love and have relationships.
Lately I am curious about reminiscing. Why people seem to reminisce more as they age? Is it only because I am aging that I know this? What's the point to reminiscence? Why do we have high school reunions if when we were in high school, so many of us were traumatized and bullied by classmates? My 35th reunion was this past weekend. I didn't attend.
Tonight I'm heading back to belly-dancing classes after a two year cancer hiatus. When I first found out about the cancer diagnosis I never thought I'd belly dance again. Then again, I thought I would be dead by now. So today is a happy anniversary of sorts -- something to note for the good list I am compiling instead of the list-o-rotten things that happen in autumn.
Listening to Thich Nhat Hahn on my iPOD on the way into work this morning, I heard a segment I had not heard previously (this morning is the first time I listened to him speak) where he reminds the listener (me) that buddhism is a raft to get to the other shore. He goes on to say that one should not mistake the raft for the shore. I'm on the raft.
10 comments:
never got the idea of a high school reunion myself...
You're doing a good list about Autumn?! Personally I am still in 'oh no, it's Autumn already and I HATE it' mode...
Maybe it's because there is more behind us than ahead of us but that might be too morbid.
don't mind me ...
Enjoy the bellydancing tonight. Happy Anniversary ... of sorts.
I feel as though I could do well by adopting some of your practices to help me heal.
It seems they're really working for you.
my word ver. was ... idigart ... cool.
Congrats on getting back to the belly dancing, and adding a good thing to your list.
I've only been to my 5 year reunion (class of 81, so I've missed a lot!) and I might think about going if I lived in the area, but hells to the no am I going to spend travel time and money going to see these people.
l'op - I'm going to write a post about good things as soon as I can get the list together. ;-)
Fit - I am glad to see you again...doing better.
Shelly - I went to my 10 year and going back in time isn't something I want to pursue right now. I'll save it for my deathbed. ;-)
I actually think it's a combination of things.
I have a number of friends who become big reminiscers pretty much IMMEDIATELY after we graduated from college (personality type?) and others of us waited until we got older (waves hand in air).
happy anniversary. dance like the WORLD IS WATCHING.
I never like the dance like no one is watching.
I get it...but I never liked it :)
I find reminiscing painful. Will that ever change? I don't know.
Great to read about the belly dancing classes, so glad you are still around to enjoy them again. I am a beginner and I LOVE it!
A raft, eh? I think I am adrift.
Good for you for going back to belly dancing!
I think, personally, that I am in a canoe. And I'm paddling as hard as I can, but still not getting anywhere.
Can hardly wait to see your good list for Autumn.....
Actually, it's funny, I've been reminiscing a lot here lately...even thought about putting it on my blog. Maybe too cheesy? I tink happy thoughts when reminiscing although it makes me feel older and makes me long for childhood again. Can't wait to see your list. :)
I'm new to your blog (thanks to The Bag Lady) - it's great! I have Thich Nhat Hanh's little book Be Free Where You Are. Am trying to be more mindful of everything...wish me luck :-)
Some of us are natural reminiscers. I can remember reminiscing about kindergarten when I was in first grade.
It's just that after fifty years I have more to reminisce about. Even if I have less memory.
Mary Anne in Kentucky
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