There are many things going on in my life at the moment.

But the all consuming event these days is my 40th class reunion. Some of you are asking, “What, it’s not over with already?” And I would have to say, to my husband in particular, “Sorry honey, the answer is no.”

Who knew that so much would be involved?

First it was getting the date narrowed down. That was done by a survey on Facebook. (Thanks Joe Knobbe!) Then once I volunteered (yes, you read that right) I sought other suckers like myself and built a team. We met, determining what needed to accomplished and in what order.

Then we created more than one event for those who might not be able to make a single event. So Friday night is a Meet & Greet at a sports bar with appetizers, Saturday is a catered picnic at a forest preserve and Sunday is kick back time with a bowling challenge.

The real challenge has been looking for classmates and trying to contact them.

At the time our town had two high schools – East and West. It now only has one. In shouting out on Facebook about a reunion (for East), many from West asked if the reunion was open to them – they never had a reunion in all their 40 years!

Now, we (East) have had a definite 10 year and some small reunions through out the decades. Facebook has been a big help, but the lack of a current mailing or phone list has been the greatest uphill battle we on the team have faced.

The reunion is a few weeks away and there is SO much to do! We are working hard on surprises for those coming. I am thankful to have creative and thoughtful people on my team and two men of spiritual nature to keep us grounded and lifted at the same time.

The anticipation of excited faces, of smiles and laughter for one special weekend is beginning to build in me. To meet new Facebook friends for the first time, and reacquaint with classmates will actually happen soon!

All this would not be possible without the team that volunteered selflessly alongside me.

Cathy Schwab Japuntich                Amy Laube-Fields                Rojelio Daniel

Karen Ekstrand Spaeth                  Tina Elloian                           Jonathan White

and leading us from Atlanta, Tony “the Fonz” Fontana – also known as the Instigator of this reunion.

-mb