Do you really know me?

As time goes by I find myself asking that question a lot.  I think it really hit home when my 20th class reunion came around this year.  I debated for a long time if I wanted to go or not.  I was part of our class page on Facebook & I would read the posts as the reunion drew closer.  As I read I would think "who is that?", "do I remember that person from high school?".  Of course, with a class of over 330 it's not likely that I knew everyone.  Also, not very likely that I was known either.

My husband, Mike, & I actually graduated from the same school & the same year.  We didn't really know each other in high school.  Mike will tell you that he saw me as "Miss Goody Two Shoes" in school because I didn't get into trouble and didn't go to the parties.  He was in a whole different "clique" at school than I was.  So, we didn't really know each other then. 

Mike & I were not able to attend the 20 year reunion after all.  We were moving into our new home (well, new to us).  We both took turns looking at the pictures posted on the Facebook page to see who we could recognize.  It looks like everyone had a great time but we couldn't even guess the names of some people.  I guess that's what happens after 20 years and a class of so many.  I found myself regretting that I had not attended the reunion.  That I felt like I should have gone to see if anyone remembered me like I was trying to remember them from the pictures. 

I don't know who would have remembered me & I sometimes wonder what they would remember about me from high school.  Would they be like my husband and think of me as the one that didn't get into trouble?  Would they think of me as the one that the computer teacher left in charge of the class whenever she left the room?  Or would they think of me as the friend that they missed & hadn't seen in so long?  I don't know what the answers to those questions would be now but hopefully we can attend our 25 reunion and see.

This whole thing with our reunion & how I was thinking brought me full circle to my daughter, Caitlin, who is a Freshman this year.  This summer we have talked about how she feels out of place because she thinks people think she is "too random & different".  The only advice that I can give to her is to be herself.  If only those people she goes to school with could see 1/10 of what I see when I'm around her, they would know what a special person she really is. 

I think the problem with high school is we are all trying to find our "place" and how we fit in with everyone else so that we don't really take the time to really get to know who we are.  I can tell you that the friends that take the time to really know you, are the ones that you will have the rest of your lives.  Also, take the time to really get to know someone that you are around all the time.  Everyone needs to dig below the surface and quit judging what's on the surface. 

So ask yourself, do you really know me and do you really know yourself?  I know I am.