Reunion Worries and Woes

 A week from today will be a reunion of friends from my hometown who have since transplanted to Utah.  The bulk of these friends were all in high school at one point or another together over the years.  We once were all in the same LDS ward growing up.  When we were in college we'd have reunions like this about once a year.  Then life happened and we all moved on.

The thing is, I was notified about this reunion by a former friend who hasn't really spoken to me in 16 years.  The last time we saw each other was at our 20th class reunion in my hometown and I was hardly worth a "hello" from her.  She was still mad at me, from 10 years previous.  Well, that was 6 years ago now and, to be honest, I am really hesitating to want to go next week, because of her.  Even if she is the one who "invited" me.

There ARE other friends who I'd like to see and visit with from this friend group--mostly from church growing up.  But I'm not sure if wanting to see them trumps NOT wanting to get chewed out again by her.  This weighing of wishes is painful work.

Truth be told, my LDS friends in high school--stretching across many graduating years--would be the best kind of reunion.  I think I am fairly done with my own high school class reunions, even though I was pretty excited about the first one.  They just have all been disappointing.  But the LDS friends I had growing up are really the people that influenced me as friends and encouraged me to become better.  I care abotu them because we have had so many shared experiences and values and goals.

So, the worry is this: I show up at this reunions of transplants and walk into a confrontation and rehashing of an issue 16 years old.  Those who I'd REALLY most like to see don't come for the reunion.  And I waste a perfectly good birthday dinner night--yes, it is on my birthday.

Maybe I should adopt Genius Golfer's theory that less is more, when it comes to friends.  It saves in the heartache department.