One More

”There’s always room for one more.” - Author unknown

When a holiday falls in the middle of the week like Independence Day did this year, it’s hard to decide when to have that backyard cookout. There is so much going on locally; the arts festival, the harbor illumination, fireworks, historical reenactments. And it’s a big vacation week. So many people I knew were juggling family visits, fireworks, and festivals and it gets to be a lot of work.

I am never comfortable hosting parties and such, it just doesn’t come naturally to me. I was lucky that I got invited to a cookout at a friend’s home. She was also entertaining out of town family, but there was room for my brood too. “Always room for one more” are words she lives by, not just on holidays, but every day.

In addition to the usual running around that always happens near the fourth of July, I also had my high school class reunion. I choke just a little when I tell people it’s the thirtieth reunion for me. Yes, it was all those years ago that I graduated from Marblehead High. The class of 1982 was in fine form this past weekend. And, as always, there were last minute guests. Some of our classmates were not sure if they could make it back. But so many did, and thanks to a hard working committee there was room.

High school wasn’t always about there being room for one more. Quite the opposite in fact. While I had good friends and good times, I am glad I’m done with it. Just finding a place to sit down in the cafeteria was a social minefield for me.  I can say however that most people do not stay who they were in high school. Thankfully, thirty years after high school, most people just don’t remember who was cool and who was not. I’m pretty certain I was not, after all I do still have the pictures. Hidden where nobody can find them. Ever.

I have to admit that I am starting to notice my age. I can’t see as well, I don’t sleep as well and I sure don’t party like a teenager anymore. But on a warm summer night, with music and adult beverages, I really did feel young again. How I felt the next day was different. Not for nothing, everything has its price and I’m pretty certain I’m going to be broke for a while.

I talked to people at this reunion that I was sure wouldn’t remember me. I was positive that during high school the kids I noticed, never noticed me. But I guess one or two did. I couldn’t remember the name of the character I played in the school mystery drama until someone came up to me and said “You were that crazed murderer in the play! Mrs. Ranch!” Someone else asked what had become of the guy I took to the prom. Ok, so that was probably not about them noticing me, but still it’s nice to be remembered even if it was just for my taste in dates.

So many other good stories were told. I found it a sign of our digital age that not one person pulled out an actual photo of their children. Everyone’s pictures were on cell phones. Of course I couldn’t show anyone pictures of my oldest child, he turns 21 this week. He came along before cell phones and digital cameras were everywhere and he stopped letting mommy take pictures of him long ago. There’s a little room in my purse, I think I will keep a copy of his kindergarten school picture in there from now on.

In the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” he tells the audience “Life moves pretty fast.” It absolutely does, but that is a good thing! We go places, we meet people, we have all kinds of experiences. Ferris had a great day, despite some small annoyances. Not every day can be like that, but the ones that are should be treasured.

There is always room for one more.