Make new friends, but keep the old

Written by: Ramona (Scheibli) Robinson, Class of ’78

One is silver and the other gold!

You might remember that song from when you were very young, maybe even back to Kindergarten days.

As corny as it may seem, it was exactly what popped into my mind as I reflected on how to reach out to those of you who have yet to decide to attend the next Tecumseh reunion.

I hope my thoughts and reflections might shed new light on the possible reunion experience for you.

It holds true for me, and I can say without a doubt, my BFF is GOLD and always will be.

For me, being around my GOLD friend is like coming home. No matter how much time has passed since we last connected, we can step right back into our relationship without skipping a beat. It’s comforting to connect with people who know you well … I mean really know you, because you grew up together, through good times and bad. It’s like family. I know that even as I grow older, and I might not have my family close by any longer, when I am with my BFF I feel like I am home.

Maybe you have one or many GOLD status friends already, and feel you don’t need any more. I wonder how you stay connected if you do. Maybe Facebook or other social media? Hmm, that’s good, but not the same as a real face-to-face conversation.Some of us have moved far enough away from Chatham that it’s not easy to stay in touch.

A reunion is a great opportunity to get that old group together and get caught up on each other’s lives (real time), share a few memories and just have fun! 

I’m not sure why I only have one GOLD friend, but I think I was lazy with relationships while I got totally absorbed in my life. Thankfully my GOLD friend forgives me when I drop off the face of the earth from time to time, and I do the same for her.

I am pretty sure your former classmates will forgive you for not staying in touch when you get together again! Perhaps you might find you have more in common with your former classmates than the people you surround yourself with today because of your job/work affiliations? Just something to think about.

“But”, you say, you hated high school and everyone from your past? I am sure we all agree it was a difficult time in our lives, and we all had issues that we would have preferred not to have. The fact is that these are the people and events in our lives that helped shape who we are today. 

That is exactly what encouraged me to attend the epic Tecumseh reunion of 2011. I couldn’t get my BFF to come with me so I went by myself. Okay, so my older sister and brother were there too, but I just put myself out there out of curiosity more than anything. What would it tell me about myself? I have forgotten more than I can recall and so I longed for conversations with people who reminded me of stories long forgotten.

It was amazing to have these flash backs in time and I treasure every moment. One of the big reasons I wanted to attend this year’s reunion was because I ran out of time at the last reunion! I only attended the main event and there were so many people I didn’t get a chance to talk to.

I am looking forward to taking the time to really enjoy this opportunity to reconnect with people who might be future GOLD status.

Class of ’78….It’s been tough trying to get this group together so please give this some thought.

Looking back, I think we had a great graduating class, so please consider taking the time to come home to Chatham for this reunion, July 22 & 23. Tickets are available here!

I know we will all leave with fond memories, new connections, and a greater awareness of who we are today as a result of our time at Tecumseh!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Ramona (Scheibli) Robinson, Class of ’78

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