Upon leaving Watterson, my journey took some interesting twists and turns, as most of ours do. College was not in my future, but marriage and children were. I like to think I earned my degree in “life”. My sons, Jason 45, and Tony 32, have given me four grandchildren ~ Max and Quinn, 16 and 15 from Jason, and Camila and Vale, almost 6 and 2, from Tony. All who live within 20 minutes ~ which will most likely keep me grounded in Central Ohio indefinitely! At times throughout the years, I’ve felt at odds with myself over not having continued my education or dedicating myself to a “career”, but am finally at peace with the path I’m on and can think of no better legacy than my sons and grandbabies (which they’ll always be regardless of age!). I am in constant awe of them. My sons are kind, loving, caring and sensitive men. They share their lives with amazing women and their sense of family is strong and true. So I guess I’ve done something right along the way!

Both of my sisters and their families live nearby. We are a tightly knit bunch who spend as much time together as we possibly can. It is, ultimately, all about family. The love, laughter and support we give to one another are priceless.

The business classes I took at BWHS—typing, shorthand, even Freshman Latin with that sweet little nun who watered her artificial flowers, turned out to be assets as I held several jobs throughout the years as a legal secretary (no “administrative assistants” in those days) in Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Truly, this was an education in itself. It was a different time for a young woman in the working world. Looking back it always astounds me that we put up with what we did. I suppose those times have been instrumental in making me the feminist I am today!

I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel quite a bit over the years to Italy, Hawaii, many lovely hide-a-ways in the Caribbean and here in the States and loved doing so, but am always happy to be home again. I’d like to head to the mountains in the near future—something different!

The 10 years or so after high school were full of life, friends, and youth. We thought it would remain so. The exuberance and infallibility of that youth saved me from veering too far off my path. Time does have a way of showing us that we are not, after all, in complete control of our lives. Stuff happens. And I had my share of it. But along the way I learned how to cope. Not only did I work hard, play hard, party a bit too hard at times, marry, raise two families, love deeply, and ultimately divorce twice ~ but I survived. I live in a lovely home out in the woods off of Hoover Reservoir—just me and my German Shepherd, Bishop. I treasure the haven I’ve created for myself. Found strengths I never knew I possessed and am able to pursue knowledge of ideas without fear of judgment. I’ve discovered that I very much like this latest chapter in my life as a single woman!

I lost touch with the Watterson crowd for a long time, but within the last few years have found that the friends we make during those high school days never really disappear. We just all got older and wiser. Well, definitely older!

I am so looking forward to the reunion and reconnecting with even more of you. 50 years of life to catch up on. I can’t wait!!