Wagnerites: Instant "Old Friends"

by Myrna Nickelsen, '78

I know most of you will agree. The best part about our WHS 75-80 Reunions is making new, "old friends."

Soon after San Diego, Chrys Atwater emailed to tell me that she was going to be in San Francisco for a conference -- would I be able to have dinner with her one evening? I said yes but if she could, how about coming the weekend before or staying the weekend after so we could have some real one-on-one -- something we've never been able to do during the reunions. Now mind you, while Chrys and I knew each other during our junior year, we didn't hang out. We were strictly friendly acquaintances at Wagner. But we've always chatted during reunions, however briefly.

Chrys and I spent this past weekend together. We dined out, dined at home, shopped, got pedicures, and went to a street fair. We also drank wine and had plenty of conversations. In short, we had a great time, and though mere acquaintances in high school, because we knew so many of the same people and grew up similarly, we may as well have been friends our entire lives. We noted how much easier it was to fill in the years in between than to have to explain how you grew up. It was thus easy and effortless to become old friends, and we know it isn't just because we've turned out to have a lot more in common than we might have imagined.

It was fascinating to learn that Chrys is fluent in French, that French, in fact, was her first language and that she never lived in the U.S. until she graduated from Wagner and moved to Michigan for college. And she was a cheerleader in college, roomed with Deidre Smith (78); Chrys was surprised to learn that Deidre, Heidi Young, Gina Crynes, and I were all in the same homeroom class in the 6th grade. It was also fascinating to learn that Chrys' paternal grandmother died at 108 years old this past spring, and that her dad is now 90 years old. Pretty amazing when you start doing the math.

We laughed at the fact that we were both afraid of the Jimerson girls (Karen and Janella) in high school; they seemed so tough! What retarded perceptions we had! I haven't been around Janella, but I was with Karen, et al, last weekend -- and I can't imagine her being tough today! We went through the 77 yearbook and marveled at how many turned out to be pretty amazing individuals.

Chrys and I had a really great time visiting. The two back-to-back weekends with Wagnerites (dinner with Elin, et al, and a barbecue with the Bay Area Wagnerites last weekend) underscored just how easy and comfortable it is to be around Wagner people -- how natural and easy it is to become "old friends" with those from our Wagner days. Is it the shared past, the shared experiences and shared friends and acquaintances that make it so? I'm not sure I really know. Maybe some of you would like to share your views on the matter.

Comments

[Joanie Humphreys Smith]

It's true, Myrna, I believe what we share is so tremendously special, any one of us could spend the weekend together and feel "that" connection. I feel it when I just think of "Wagnerites". Hugs to you all.

[Deborah Wilkins]

Chrys is an amazing woman with so many talents and a rich history. LOL to the both of you....