It’s funny that we really haven’t missed the TV as much as the internet. I guess that’s because we stay connected through email, facebook, and the blog. For Amy and the kids, it means the return of some Webkinz as well. (And paying bills online.)

[Sigh of contentment]

It’s especially nice to have these things today as it takes the sting out of saying goodbye to two dear friends as they head back to Colorado. What a great weekend of late night talks, cards (the guys dominated the gals), laughter, and fun. It was way too short and we’re already looking forward to seeing them as well as the rest of the Pinecrest family next month.

But I must say that Wayne is one of my dearest friends. He’s the only guy that has ever reduced me to tears of laughter on the golf course to the point where I couldn’t finish the round. We were playing in Little Rock and he rips a 7 iron right into the side of the house directly behind the green. It wasn’t one of those loft shots that just lands on the house. It was a smoking line drive shot that was still rising when it made contact. We were pretty sure it went through the house and across the street.

I couldn’t swing a club the rest of the day.

Wayne introduced me into the wonderful, exciting world of electricity grids. Yeah…..

But I was going to link to Wayne’s blog but it’s dead. Maybe you can find him on Facebook and tell him happy birthday.

Confession 1: I was nervous and a bit anxious about going. In fact, a couple of times I thought about looking at Amy and saying – ‘Hey, let’s go rob a bank instead.”

But we had already paid for the weekend. So we were going.

Confession 2: I graduated with over 550 people in my class. 20 years ago. I hadn’t seen any of them since. Would any of us recognize each other?

Reality 1: There will be people at any reunion that either have super-photographic memories OR they’ve spent the last 3 weeks scouring over the yearbook. I am not one of those people. I had a few people holler my name, hug my neck and I had no idea who they were.

That of course led to the awkward moment of when I had to say – “You know…I gotta tell you, I’m not sure if I know who you are.”

Reality 2: Some of us never grow up – it’s a good thing. Lots of laughs, lots of ‘remember the time’ stories. I think the greatest compliment I got was – “You look exactly the way you did in high school.” The second greatest compliment was upon hearing that I was now a youth pastor. “Oh my gosh!!! That is so YOUUUU.”

Reality 3: Some of us never grow up – it’s a bad thing. There was one guy at the reunion that was really having a good time. Still being barely able to talk coherently after more than a few brews. He’s still funny. He still makes you laugh but in the back of my mind I wonder – is this the highlight for him? There’s got to be more there, right?

Reality 4: You’ll connect with someone at a reunion that you never connected with at high school. And it will be awesome. Met a guy that lives in Parker, loves Jesus now and in high school we might have said two words to each other. It was great. Another gal – actually his sister-in-law – that both of our families hit it off.

Reality 5: There are some friends that you can pick up right where you left off. Mike Greenwood, Paul Velakaneye, and I hung out all time. Mike and Paul roomed together at college while I left the state entirely. (I think Paul never forgave me for that.) Talking with Mike was awesome, still easy-going yet speak what’s on my mind kind of guy.

I’m very glad I went. I’m looking forward to tonight.

Greatest Verbal Exchange of the Evening:
“Grant, didn’t you move into Rangeview in the middle of your junior year?”

“Yeah…but sitting the bench on the basketball team, I actually made a lot of friends.”

“Did you play on the state championship team your senior year?”

“No. I got cut. Then half the team got ineligible. But that time I was doing the ‘thespian’ thing.”

[Long Pause]

“That must have been very rewarding for you.”

I don’t think we stopped laughing for five minutes.