As I stepped out of my mom’s car in the pouring rain onto the 20-acre farm for my 25-year high school reunion, I felt like I was stepping into a time warp. The mud puddles in the driveway and heavily wooded surroundings formed the setting in which I grew up. The storm was over as abruptly as it began, which is typical for a Michigan summer.

Wearing jeans, a dressy blouse and open-toed shoes, I felt overdressed. I also showed up right on time, so of course I was the first one there. I got to hang out in the house with our gracious host Davone, her husband and children, and two of her seven cats, while we waited for more people to show up.

I read through a binder of questionnaires Davone sent the class prior to the reunion. It was thrilling yet shocking to read about my friend Dawn, who I knew since kindergarten but hadn’t seen in 20 years. She had six children! Muriel, my close friend since seventh grade, had a son who is a senior in high school, a daughter who is a freshman and a 1-year-old. Me? I’m mom to two cats, the editor of CAT FANCY and still hoping to remarry and have human children.

I realized how my life could have looked if I had made different choices at those pivotal moments in my early adulthood. I have no regrets for how my life turned out, but I was struck with how different it might have been.

I was pleased to see how everyone behaved like good friends, no matter how we got along in school. It made me proud of the place where I grew up. People were down-to-earth, casual and friendly.

I also was struck with how far back our memories went. “Do you still stomp your feet when you count?” my friend Tammy asked me. I hadn’t done that since third grade. (But when I was counting pages for CAT FANCY yesterday, I was tapping my foot as I counted. We all have our quirks that are frighteningly ingrained.) My friend Steve asked me if I still arm wrestle boys. I can assure you I haven’t done that since my freshman year.

Our last memories about each other were as children without worldly experience. And at the reunion, as if transported in time, we were familiar strangers with an inexplicable bond and a lifetime of experiences.

I have to say, I’m so glad I took time out of my busy life to attend. I can’t wait for the next one.


The Coloma High School class of 1983
was always known for its partying spirit.




This beautiful 20-acre farm is home
to four horses, seven cats and one
human family, and was the site of
our 25-year class reunion.




My dear friend Lisa was so excited
to be able to pet this lovely horse
with one blue eye and one brown eye.




Here I am with Muriel, one of my
best friends since seventh grade.
Obviously, time has been gracious
to her.




Here is my friend since kindergarten,
Dawn, with her hubby, who took many
of these photos. Sorry to catch you
with your eyes closed, Dawn. You
still look every bit as young and
gorgeous as you did in high school.