This evening I went to a reunion of my elementary school (2nd-6th grade).

What an experience. I hadn't seen most people in 15 years, and I knew who almost everybody was immediately. On the one hand, people change a lot between 12 years old and 26, but on the other hand we had no defenses back then.

After so much time the joys and sadnesses all fade into a dull roar of memory. Our preconceptions upon re-meeting each other no longer come from the normal realm of looks or class, but on half-remembered schoolyard quarrels and friendships... and nobody remembers the quarrels. The automatic (but not unquestioned) familiarity is almost as if we crossed the line from friends to long-lost family.

What I'm trying to say is: it was powerful. What a group we turned out to be. And the babies! It won't be long before some will be the age we were when we all met.

Update: here are a few group shots of us. Also, re-reading this entry in the light of day, all I can say is: writing is a muscle and I may have strained mine.

Today's photographic nomination is in Wacky:

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