(pro ping'kwi te)1. nearness in place; proximity. 2. nearness of relation; kinship. 3. affinity of nature; similarity. 4. nearness in time.
I was telling my friend Julie about this sense of...whatever it is that makes me feel so automatically comfortable with you guys. It seemed odd to me that after 30 years there should be such a strong and instant intimacy among us. And she gave me this word, suggesting that it could be explained, at least in part (perhaps) by the time we physically all spent together -- 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and with some of you (Andy Nunnally!) going all the way back to first grade!!
That is quite a little bit of propinquity, I'd say.
8 comments:
The word is apt, but there is more to it than that. We are truly peers. I mean I am sure we all have friends and co-workers who are in our age group that we relate to and consider peers. But us Shorwoodians have shared experiences, and were taught by the same people, experienced a lot of the same joys and tragedies together as a group, and that gives us all a similar point of reference, and yes, a bond.
True, Dan, but I wonder, does everybody have this? The amazing thing to me at the 20th reunion was first, what a large percentage of people in our relatively small class showed up, and second, how much we had to say to one another. And then when Claudia told me Gary died, and I went to the guestbook, I was amazed by how many people had already signed and how similar our memories were.
The other thing I'm thinking about is just timing -- not only Gary's death, but the fact that, well, we're about to embark on another journey -- our 50s! And onward. Some of us are marveling at being about to launch kids to college. Others are starting new careers. I think it's a time of change for a lot of people and thus there's something really comforting about checking in with the people who helped launch us on our last big adventure. Or something.
Also, it's hilarious that the two hopping threads have to do with sadistic teachers and underage drinking! There's really no one else who has those memories -- who knew we were dying to share them!
OK, now I'm late for work! I need help with this blog addiction.
Ditto.
I think that our generation was interesting- came after the "baby boomers", post Viet Nam and the sexual revolution of the '60's.
We were legal to drink at 18. No worries of AIDS in college. AND we listened to GREAT music. We can look back and laugh 'till tears rolled down our cheeks. I am glad that we shared a great experience in SHS, and we can share this now!
I do believe that part of our closeness has to do with the size of our school. I am amazed and saddened by how much my children are missing out just because they attend such a large school. Yes, they go to the games and parties, but it is impossible to bond with so many faces in each class and so many new faces each year.
At Shorewood, we grew up with each other and that was a huge plus. Along with that, we supported each other by packing in the auditorium for events, attended the sporting events, and art shows.
Even our principle and vice principle knew us well. Or was that just me that they knew well?
Yes, even Kupfer from middle school knew who I was thanks to Anne Wettengel screaming when I pretended to swallow a frog's eye after we disected it and thanks to Kevin Dixon for getting us in trouble because he wouldn't stop talking to me in the back of Peschel's(sp?) class.
Jane, what I meant was, Claudia is pushing 50. I too am 39.
I have a legal ID that says I was born in 1968, it's the one I use the most...
Story, that Kevin Dixon was Nothing But Trouble. By the way, does anyone know if he's okay?
And Jane and Joan, very funny. Very cute.
Oh, mu God, Mr. Peschel. I can't believe after all these years I can still hear the Chinese elf rhyme!!!
Some of you may be 39 but I'm 64-- that way I look damn good for my age!
Post a Comment