Mon 21 Feb 2005
Last night I went to dinner in Philadelphia with six friends from college. I am really lousy at staying in touch - with anyone - so it was a serious reunion. Steve promised to send along the pictures he took, so as soon as I get them I will post a couple here.
I wasn’t sure what to expect of the evening, and I am sure no one else really did either. It is very odd to go for years and years without talking to someone you spent so many pivotal, personality changing moments with. How do you ever catch up on 13 years of life?
As I sat listening to my old friends talk about their kids, their husbands, their houses, I was really amazed to notice that none of us have changed a bit. Carol Anne and I noticed this later and both commented that of course we have changed…but of course we probably haven’t either. I would like to say that my friends have all put on weight or have a few more wrinkles, but it seems I am the only one struggling in those areas…DAMN.
Anyway, I was pretty quiet at dinner, just soaking in each of my friends I had not seen in so long. We talked about the deaths and divorces and also the weddings and births that have occurred in the past 13 years. I kind of assumed I would leave feeling like the biggest failure on earth: no husband, no kids, not sure about my career, not even my dog to brag about anymore.
But actually (and not surprisingly now that I think about it), these people I went to college with, they are really nice people. Down to earth, friendly, open. I didn’t feel judged by anyone, except myself I guess. Maybe it’s because we spent so many years baring our souls in acting classes - we are way beyond pretense or needing to impress each other. Maybe it’s because we are a little older and wiser and know that life is about the moments you spend with friends and not the moments you spend trying to convince them you are doing GREAT. Or maybe none of us judged anyone else because we are all, in fact, doing just fine, everyone in their own way.
I really hope I stay in touch with everyone - so another 13 years don’t go by before we share a meal again. Perhaps we should start a group blog…?
February 22nd, 2005 at 4:54 pm
Well said, Jennifer. I couldn’t agree with you more. What an easy going and fun night! My only regret was that because of the bun in the oven, I wasn’t able to join you for lagers. Instead, I just stared longingly at yours. Selzer with cranberry can only quench one’s thirst only so far…
I’ve said it before but doesn’t Joanie look awesome with short hair!
February 22nd, 2005 at 6:44 pm
I too, was a little apprehensive about seeing eachother again. After all, I felt like maybe we knew a little “too much” about eachother 13 years ago, and would anyone recognize how much we have changed since then? Or would we hold eachother to the people we were back then? Anyway, as soon as we all got to talking… everyone of you made me happy to be me. It didn’t matter that I’ve been barefoot and pregnant for the last eight years.
You all made me feel as if I was at home and it was an awesome feeling. I look forward to the next meeting which might be a little more intimate so that I can hear more about everyone’s life. Talk to you later. MA
March 14th, 2005 at 3:54 pm
What I wanna know is — a la Big Chill –

who brought the drugs
and how many took them for the first time since college??