An Empowering Space

Last weekend is one I will not forget. I was part of the planning committee for the 30th Reunion of my High school graduating Class. We decided it was time to get together about four months ago and all we did was send out the emails. All the ladies started to make plans to bring their families home or to get down here for the event.

Two months before the event the committee started meeting and hunting for our missing classmates, asking everyone to get involved in finding a friend…..

I suggested we start a facebook group so that we could include all those who could not be present at the reunion. It would afford us the opportunity to upload images of school days gone bye and photos of all the events. There was some resistance as not too many people knew how to get on to facebook and were a little sceptical about having there information“out there”, but soon the excitement spread like wild fire and all fears and resistance was forgotten.

The excitement and enthusiasm of connecting with friends, some of which have not seen each other in 30 years, was infectious. Photos started uploading, memories and stories began being shared, before the reunion actually started.

Some who had said they were not coming, changed their plans at the last moment and decided to come share in the momentous event.

The meetings were heartfelt, reconnecting with old friends and making new friends, opening up to classmates you had never spoken to before. There was a feeling of sisterhood and friendship. The weekend was packed with activities planned and spontaneous and no one wanted to miss out on anything.

What I learned during this weekend was that some friendships are so strong, no matter how much time has passed, it was like time stopped and the conversations just continued where we left off. It was not a matter of filling in all the stuff that had happened in between, but rather just acknowledging each other for the challenges that we had each overcome during the time gone by. Realising what a resourceful and strong bunch of women we were, and ready to listen and support each other.

I had suggested a game on our first meeting to sort of break the ice, and encourage people to mingle and find out one little secret or bit of information about another classmate. The most amazing part of this was that some people did share a most intimate secret, some shared a life story, some shared missing pieces to a story. It was a beautiful level of sharing that came out of the exercise, and a testimony to how safe and trusting we felt with one another.

I have a beautiful memory of that weekend and hope the connections made during that weekend will continue. When friends come into your life and hold your hand they end up touching your heart.