A Decade Later

2012 makes 10 years since I finished high school. Some things have changed quite a bit, others not at all. For one, I certainly never saw myself coming back here. I, like many of my friends, swore that we’d be far, far away from here by now. However the reality is that most people end up pretty close to where they were born or raised. A few buddies of mine moved out of state, only to come back here to start a family.

Truth is this place is pretty great. We live in Gananda – small schools, nice houses and mature trees lining the sidewalks. It definitely isn’t the cheapest area to live in, but for me, it’s worth it. Growing up, I hated that everyone knew everyone else – but now, as a new parent, it’s something I treasure. The people who live here help make this community what it is. A healthy mix of young families, empty nesters and semi-retired golf course residents. Not too shabby.

Besides that, we’re a 20-30 minute drive to almost anywhere. Shopping, restaurants and entertainment are all just a short drive away. To be honest, that is the way I like it. While friends of ours rave about city living, it’s definitely not for me. I enjoy the culture, architecture and ambiance that the city represents, but prefer to live somewhere a bit more rural.

Jokes about sharing a backyard with a corn field may have been fuel for jokes years ago, but now it’s something I enjoy..knowing that certain places will always be farms, or that others will stay “forever wild”. In a world that changes so much everyday, its good to know that some things will remain the same.

How about my classmates? Having a graduating class of about 70, I stay in contact with several of them either in person or through Facebook. One common theme seems to be the kids who were “trouble” or “slackers” ended up doing pretty well for themselves. Some others who were top of the class seemed to have plateaued many years ago. Getting good grades is one thing, but being able to make it in the real world is another.

There’s been no word of an “official” class reunion, but I’d assume a few dozen of us will get together one of these weekends and rehash the past while trying to make our current selves look extra impressive. That’s the point, isn’t it? “Look how well I’ve done?”. You can say no, as long as you know the truth.

Me? I’ve got a beautiful wife and an adorable son who make me very happy. That’s as good as it gets. Oh, and I get to arrive in a Mercedes that I’ve worked my butt off to afford. Not that I’ll rub that in though…much.

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