What a reunion showed me

In 1985 I returned to my hometown of Joliet as a feature writer at the Herald-News. An attractive job offer drew me back, but I felt as many do about their hometowns: I didn’t want to remain there. I made good friends among the staff but disliked some non-pc attitudes in the newsroom. 

When I left the Herald-News and joined Northwestern University’s publications office in 1990, I expected to find more political correctness (though the term wasn’t in widespread use yet). That I did, along with, at first, intellectual pretentiousness and snobbery. Well, I had been a snob about my hometown, so maybe the tough early years at Northwestern were payback.

Fast forward more than three decades to a reunion of former Herald-News newsroom staff last Saturday afternoon. I can’t remember when I was so comfortable and unselfconscious at a party.

I felt that I was among people with whom I had nothing to hide and nothing to prove. I didn’t care that I’m 40 pounds heavier than when some of them last saw me. No one dressed to impress. One woman had dug out our old “Herald-News Running Club/The Write Stuff” T-shirt. A woman in cancer treatment, bless her heart, came with her head covered. 

I didn’t think about whether I had anything witty to contribute to the chitchat. Conversation flowed effortlessly. Everywhere I looked, for more than three hours, people were talking animatedly. 

There was tangible affection among us even if we hadn’t met in decades. “It’s great to see you” was undoubtedly said sincerely. It took all of about 60 seconds for an estranged friend and I to make up.  

Stories told long ago on morning and afternoon breaks were recalled and laughed over once again. Current events were discussed as if we’d been together the day before.

Maybe, I thought, I belonged in Joliet after all. My former Herald-News colleagues are bright and accomplished, but nearly all of us come from working-class roots, and most went to nonprestigious universities. With them I was on a level playing field. In the sophisticated big city, I’ve often felt like I’m running to catch up with acquaintances raised by college-educated parents who provided music lessons, travel, and intellectual discussions.

I could have remained a Herald-News writer longer, but I probably would have lost my job eventually when the features department was disbanded. The people I partied with Saturday all left at one time or another. That so many returned on Saturday, some from as far as Colorado and California, evidences a durable connection.