How delightful to think of old times and old places. As I looked at the annual, I fondly remembered many of those faces. Hope some of you remember me.
I still use the doilies that Kay Blackburn’s mom gave me as a wedding gift, and relish her mom’s biscuits that I ate at so many sleepovers. Now I have a group of ladies the age my mom would have been, that I play cards with, teach a Bible study, and have a sleep-over. I took two of these ladies on a bird watching field trip to south Texas a few weeks ago, and am taking one or two “camping” at the mini-cabins at Inks Lake State Park this month.
As you may recall, Wayne Trott (Tech class of 54) and I dated my Junior and Senior years, then married Dec 28, 195. After his graduation from TCU in ’58, we moved to Dallas County where we lived until he died in 1989. We had 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Now there are seven grandsons and a great granddaughter. Holidays are full!
After our “baby” went into the service in 84, I went back to college, got my degree and was in graduate school when Wayne died. Being single as an ADULT has been an eye-opener. However, between “dating” and dancing and working, I managed to finish my masters (TWU) and was a counselor about 14 years until I retired (or gave up!). I worked with “displaced homemakers” at Richland Community College, in private practice, and long-term recovery centers for families and adolescents who were substance abusers.
About the time I had decided to stop counseling, my younger brother was given a short term assignment through Lockheed to Korea… So, he invited me to tag along. And was he floored when I accepted. Going with them I had a great time, taught English “slang and customs” to Korean teens, backpacked in the mountains beyond the 38th parallel with a Navy group, and swam in the “Sea of Japan” in my underwear. I am grateful for that opportunity as I learned that I could live someplace but DFW.
Many of you have had a lot of experiences that this “stay at home mom” never experienced. I lived the typical June Cleaver life, with Camp Fire Girls, Church, PTA, Kids, sports, carpools. So after Korea, I took courage, came home, sold our family home of over 30 years, and moved to my dream place on Lake Buchanan in the hill country. I rented for the first time since I was a new bride, and had a lake front duplex. Step off my patio and you were in the lake – swim or fish anytime. I started painting again and joined the “crafters” (even sold my stuff at shows). What a blast.
Since then my son, John, has moved in with me, and I watch my youngest grandson while his dad works. What was going to be a temporary arrangement has been a blessing to both of us (today he drug my truck out of the mud)! About two years ago my son and I moved to East Texas as the drive back and forth to Dallas bi-weekly to transport my grandson to his mom’s was a killer.
I love my place in East Texas. The house isn’t the kind I would have in Dallas, however I have 2 acres and the piney woods are wonderful. Casey (Kay BlackburnTolksdorf) says I have become a real farm girl. I drive a pickup, use a small tractor to mow, and have chickens…. I get 6 eggs a day (3 brown, 2 shades of green and 1 white). The birding is wonderful… and we see opossums, skunks, and raccoons, plus a coyote once in a while. Since I have a swimming pool, I can even practice all those classy synchronized swimming tricks I learned at TCU with the swim group from Paschal.
Nowadays I don’t try to accomplish much. Wayne’s early death, my widowhood and changes I have made, have taught me to enjoy the day, be grateful for God’s blessings and keep in touch. Glad you computerized…. I would love to hear from each of you. I will email, but rarely get the things I write completely addressed and mailed. Or better yet, you can drop in at Brownsboro. I am halfway between Tyler and Athens, and 45 minutes from Canton’s First Monday Flea Market!
However, if I don’t see or hear from you before 2006, let’s hope we can all gather at the 50th Reunion… Otherwise, SEIZE THE DAY.