The perpetual reunion

Facebook promises - and delivers - constant connection with my tribe of friends and relatives.  But what of the impromptu reunion with people long gone from my life?  People whose names I barely remember?  People like Viviane, the high-school friend from twenty-seven years ago?  Viviane, whose name changed because she got married to Mathieu whom she claims was also in our graduating class?

I can't remember a Mathieu.  Was he a tall guy with curly hair?  Or was that "Matthew" from my daughter's high-school days? 

Blank.

And how should I respond to Viviane's inquiry about my life?  And what if the rest of the high-school class show up in my inbox? How do I sum up twenty-seven years into one neat paragraph?  Marital status, professional status, children, a line about my blog (will she read it?), what else am I forgetting?  Is it truly possible that half my life could be contained in so little? 

And the inevitable tally!  Viviane has managed to travel the world, mother five children and stay married to her high-school sweetheart.  She is the CFO of a Swiss phamaceutical company.  I am divorced, a mother of two, and I've spent most of my adult life within Houston's Loop 610.  Although I don't recall my high-school dreams life hasn't exactly turned out to be the bowl of cherries I had imagined it would be back when I was 18.  There's been a lot more work and far, far less glamour, excitement or romance.   I never made it to art school or Japan and never pursued that application to the PhD program. 

But I am happy.  I own a house and two cars, an unlimited membership to the Yoga studio and a Starbucks gold card.  I like my work.  My refrigerator is well stocked.  My children are safe.  My beloved will snuggle with me tonight.  I'll hop on a plane and go to France this summer.  I paid an ungodly $3.49 for 4oz of out-of-season raspberries that I ate in one sitting this afternoon. 

Isn't that the life?

I am happy.  Yes.  It's offical.  It's in writing.  Any further inquiry about my status, please refer to this blog entry.