This past weekend, I reunited with classmates to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of our high school graduation from Putnam City North.
At the dinner on Saturday night, Honorable Mentions were made for the following:
- Farthest distance traveled to attend the reunion.
- Most recently married.
- Longest married.
- Youngest child.
- Most children.
- Most grandchildren.
- Least changed since high school.
- Most changed since high school.
I was nominated along with five classmates for the least changed. (I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not, but I’m pretending it is. What I’m really thinking is. . . there are a lot of eyes that need exams because of vision changes.)
I was second runner up to Jana Busch Thompson, who looks remarkable!
After the reunion I thought about being one of the least changed. I thought of the dreams I held for my life upon graduation compared to the vision I hold now, and whether or not they were different.
One image came to mind . . .
I took this picture in June of 1981 from the steps of the Diocletian Palace in former Split Yugoslavia, now Split Croatia. It’s a simple image, but for me it was a defining moment.
While my tour group continued into the palace, I stayed behind to capture the view with my camera. The composition of this man reading a newspaper, framed by the window of his apartment building, caught my eye. As I focused my lens and released the shutter, a feeling stirred in me. . . I want to spend my life looking in the windows of the world.
In 2003, I sponsored a military officer from Bosnia at Ft. Sill Army Base in Lawton, OK. I mentioned to him that I had taken a photograph standing on the steps of a palace, but couldn’t remember what city in Yugoslavia it was. He immediately replied, “I think it must have been the Diocletian Palace in Split.”
So in the summer of 2003 I joined Samir and his family during their vacation, and retraced my steps to the fortress. As I entered the square, a feeling of warmth and familiarity came back to me. The same energy I had felt on my first visit.
I took this picture. . .
As you can see. . . some things change a lot. . . and some only a little.
Thirty years and thirty countries later, the feeling remains strong. I still carry a camera and a heart of wanderlust.
I wonder how many of my classmates are living experiences they dreamt of in high school, or are doing things they never imagined at all. I hope everyone!
It was a tremendous reunion! I can't wait to see what the next ten years holds!
Jennifer
The Lucky Nomad
