In 1979, I wrote an essay about our 10th high school reunion, which was published in The Denver Post. I couldn’t locate a copy, but classmate David Parkes and his wife, Jo Parkes, remembered saving a clipping. Reading it again was a trip down memory lane, a personal life lesson, and the inspiration for the following reflections upon those 40-year-old reflections.
One of my most vivid memories from our ten-year high school reunion did not appear in this article.
That day, I remember someone asking me what I did for a living. I told him, “I’m a writer.” It may have been the first time I used that word to identify myself and I felt like a fraud. At that point, I’d had a few articles published in what then called the “alternative press,” but my real job at The Boston Phoenix was doing the editor’s filing and answering the phone. This essay, published in the Denver Post (A real newspaper! Where my father had worked as a typesetting and proofreader for decades!) represented the height of my professional success.
Reading it now, with the hindsight and experience gained through forty years of writing, I cringe at some of my word choices. But I also smile at a few turns of phrase, like this about my classmates; “all of whom looked like long-lost cousins, all of whom looked like total strangers.”
Mostly, I’m touched and amused by the ebb and flow of change and consistency in my own life.
In 1979, I was asked if I was still into theater. I wrote, “I hardly ever go to the theater these days, much less take part in it.” In the intervening years, and as soon as I could afford it, I became an avid theatergoer. In the past few years, I developed a serious crush on Shakespeare, expressed in an ongoing series of mash-notes, or as they are now called, blog posts. www.anitadiamant.com
In 1979 I was asked if I did anything with my French? I wrote, “Besides forgetting most of what I knew? No.” Lately, I’ve been brushing up on my French via podcasts, YouTube lessons, and even some soirees pour conversations avec quelques amies. (Shout out to Monsieur Boyer, GW French teacher extraordinaire.) And no, this is not an end run around Alzheimer’s; if speaking French didn’t give me joy, I wouldn’t bother.
Of course, some things never change, such as vanity. I’ve already had a conversation about what to wear to this reunion with Judy Paley, who made an appearance in the 1979 essay. Judy remains a dear friend and one of the primary reasons I’m taking the flight from Boston – where I have lived since last time. Other reasons for attending include Becky, Jane, and Sharon. Also, Jeff, David, and Bruce Dickinson, who organized the 10th and deserves a crown and scepter for the 50th. Let’s just crown him Reunion King, shall we?
One of the things missing from The Denver Post story is any mention of how I felt about my years at GW. I was probably fairly ambivalent about my memories in 1979, but in 2019, I’m ready to pronounce my years there overwhelmingly good. There were bad moments, but the pleasant ones outshine them. I learned a lot. I had fun. I made life-long friends. And now, fifty years later, I’m curious, nervous, and excited to go back there and to see you.
Read
Looking through binoculars backwards
Published August 19, 1979
Dear Anita,
Your modesty is showing.
I, for one, have enjoyed reading your many best selling novels and books and brag that you were my classmate at GW.
I look forward to seeing you soon at the reunion. Love, Lea
LOVED your article, Anita. I think I missed it the first time as I was not living in CO. I continue to spend hours deciding what to wear. You know what I find most gratifying about this reunion? It’s being held at the same Denver Country Club that did not allow my dad (ironically, also worked for the Denver Post) to play golf there. Looking forward to seeing you, Judy, and celebrating 60 years of seeing GW through what now looks to be the same eyes for all of us!!
Anita, although I am not going to be able to make it this year, I was at the 10th and can relate to your article. My husband and I are excited to see your play, “The Mikvah Diaries,” at the Minnesota Jewish Theater on August 25th! So, it turns out you HAVE done something with theater afterall. Congratulations!
David Paul is the real Reunion King David organized four reunions-20th, 25th, 30th and 40th.
Anita, always love reading your things, whether is be all of your books( well, at least the fiction ones) and both of these reunion pieces.. As Lea said, I love to brag that I knew you when!
I must confess I have been actively following this 50th reunion website and am so impressed by the obvious diligent professionalism spent creating it. Anita Diamant was among the students I just knew were brighter than me (that group included Dave Zukerman, Sterling Puck, Larry Kauvar-sp?, et al) and of course her writing is so splendid. There were tons of “Patriots” in my University of Colorado School of Medicine Class of 1977, including some going back to Carson Elementary School (including my 4th grade crush, Judy Paley). So I am looking forward to reconnecting with so many!
Hah on wardrobe obsessing! I thought I looked rather put together when meeting a friend for dinner recently. I proudly mentioned that my outfit was 100% ARC. She smirked and said ‘I know’.
No, not demented…yet. Just enthralled with thrift store finds
😳
Judy Paley, you continue to make me laugh. Did you know that Franklin Rose had a crush on you in 4th grade??
I agree with Lea. Anita, your modesty is showing. I work in a bookstore and I’ve enjoyed selling your many books. It is fun to impress publisher reps with the fact that you were my classmate.
Also to everyone who has worked on the reunion a big thank you.
You all have done a fantastic job.
Helⅼo there! Thіs post could not be written any better!
ᒪookіng through this article гemіnds me of my ⲣreｖious гoommate!
He constantly қept talking about this. I will forward this
information to him. Fɑirly certain he will have a very good read.
Тhanks for sharing!
Dear Anita,
I remember when the Red Tent was published and so many people I knew were reading it. I was excited to tell them about the outstanding young woman who wrote the book. I felt, and still do, like I knew a celebrity.
Thank you for all that you did during high school and throughout your life to make everyone included, to go that extra mile in advocating for those ideals that are important to you. I will miss seeing you at the reunion as I won’t be able to attend, but you always will remain a part of my youth I cherished.
Love,
Jeanne