By Travis Measley | Published Thursday, July 31, 2008
So I've lived in Decatur for all of about two months. It's a small town and I'm not quite used to the fact that there isn't a Best Buy, HEB, Target and a bevy of national restaurants on every corner.
Shoot, I grew up in Katy, a suburb of Houston, where I could ride my bike to Target, three pools, a Best Buy, a Kroger and the movie theater when I was 9. Not exactly a small town.
Then I moved to College Station for school at Texas A&M, and I saw nerds ride their bikes to Target, Best Buy and the movies all the time (of course, my bike stayed locked up on campus - I mean come on, I have a reputation to uphold, right?).
So on Friday when my editor suggested I spend a little time at Reunion to "see what I could see," I was a little nervous. I didn't, and still don't really, know exactly what Reunion is. I was told it was just a big week-long get together/party where families hang out, have a good time and drink copious amounts of beer. For me, the closest thing I've ever experienced to that was probably the all-day swim meets when I was a kid - alcohol included. I had no idea what to expect.
So, Saturday night I donned my most tattered and "small town" jeans and old Texas A&M shirt, pulled my hat down low so the seven people in town I know wouldn't recognize me, and headed off into the Reunion fray. As I entered the Reunion grounds, I was greeted by a pleasant surprise - a carnival. What? Jackpot! People were everywhere, and Motley Crue's "Kickstart my Heart" blared from the speakers in the background. Am I in "The Sandlot?" No. Am I in Heaven? Yes.
With the carnival on the left and the family cabins to the right, I naturally skipped off towards the rides, like a moth to an open flame. My first three thoughts were as follows: "A Ferris Wheel? Awesome!" followed by "Man I wish my mom was here to give me money for the rides" followed immediately by "cotton candy and corn dogs!". I vaguely recall Frankenstien-walking toward them.
I'm sure I don't have to describe the carnival scene for most of you, but I think its sufficient to say that I've never wished that I was in the 13-16-year-old demographic more than at that moment. They were everywhere! Girls dressed up with makeup and on their cell phones, and silly boys following those girls around, drooling for attention. It reminded me of my first junior high dance. It was cute.
As I pushed my way toward the back of the carnival I saw the mother of all carnival rides and knew I had to ride it. I don't know what it's called, but it's that ride with all the cages that spins around and makes the cages flip-flop at nauseating angles. I refuse to divulge what happened next, but while I rode there was plenty of screaming and a lot of complaints, begging the certain person that was screaming to please stop. That's all I will say about that, infer what you must.
After stumbling, spun-drunk, from the ride, I made my way down the path among the cabins to soak in what Reunion is all about. I didn't stop to talk to many people, but merely hung back, enjoying what I saw. At almost every cabin or carport I passed, people of all ages were sitting around, laughing and enjoying each other, having drinks and eating barbecue, playing washers or ping pong, and having a great time.
I talked to one gentleman for a brief moment, and asked him what he was doing here. He told me that the week of Reunion was the one time he made sure he was back in town to spend the week with his family. It didn't matter to him if he was away for Thanksgiving or Christmas; as long as he was home for Reunion he was happy.
As I walked along, families shouted out greetings or cheers at my A&M shirt (or good-natured boos). Some offered me food, which I accepted, and some offered me drink, which I may or may not have accepted. I stopped and chatted with a few, but then made my way down the path again, soaking up every light, every smell and every sound.
It made me jealous, in a good way, seeing all the families and friends together. It made me miss my own family and friends, and got me excited for another year to come and another Reunion and the possibility of finding my own place to fit in. I still have no idea what Reunion is, where it comes from, or why it takes place, but I don't think that's the point. It seems that Reunion is just that - that one time when the people from the small town where everybody knows your name get back together and catch up on old times. But then again, you all probably know that. In that case, I guess all that is left to say is "See ya next year."
