Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, “Oh my God, What a ride.” That’s what I hope for. The three essentials to happiness in life are someone to love, something to do and something to hope for. My life is a Three Act play. . Act 1 is how I met my husband and about my family, Act 2 is about my career as a high school teacher, and Act 3 is my present state as a traveler, volunteer and a developing writer.  .Now the play begins.  

Act 1-I went to NIU where I studied English and drama. As a freshmen, I was feeling a bit home sick and lonely. I remember looking up at the sunset and watching the pink clouds and thinking I wanted to be one. Nature has always had a profound effect on me and I said, “G. od, I don’t think you are there, but if you are, “Make something wonderful happen to me."

That night I went to a dance and saw a young man, Larry, whose picture was in the paper that day for his views on Viet Nam.   He had a girl pasted on each side, and yet I had a strong impression that I was going to meet him. When I came out of the bathroom, he was alone and I made my move-----turning as red as my sweater. He had noticed me that day with a friend of his. We danced to a medley of Beatle songs and it was one of those Cinderella moments when I knew I had met my Prince Charming.  The feeling was mutual and three years later we married and had three wonderful children.

Deborah, who lives in Bozeman, MT, is a music instructor and composer. Julie, who works part time in marketing, lives in the city and has two children, Elliot and Natalie.  Aaron, who also lives in Livingston, MT as a noted artist, has three boys, August, Jasper and Isaak.

Act 2 begins with my various careers. I taught ESL and life skills at McHenry and Elgin Community College.  As a substitute, I was offered a job teaching English in District 155/Cary Grove High School—home of the state football and volleyball champs. Overall, I would have to say, I loved working with teenagers---they keep you laughing. I directed the school plays and my husband, then an Industrial Art’s teacher at Dundee Crown, did the sets. I had one student come in for a try out packet in the English dept. I said, "Go pick one up, it’s in the break out room." She returned empty handed and said, “It says, You Can’t Take it with You." The whole department broke out into laughter. That was the name of the play.

Believe it or not, you can take plays down state to the Illinois High School Theatre Festival and we took  down The Taming of the Shrew and When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet. Teaching, grading and directing took up most of my time so when my husband suggested we take an early retirement, I agreed.

Act 3-Last October 2011, I was on a Lear jet to Andrew’s Air force base. Larry spent four years in the Marines and then was in the Navy Reserves for 18 years. Now we have Space A flying privileges. We got to Andrews and then flew to Italy where we rented a Fiat and explored. But that will be in another blog.

We have worked with Habitat for Humanity building homes in Waveland where Katrina hit the hardest and I write for the Compassion and Justice blog at our church-----on issues such as the Haiti earthquake and Human Trafficking and of course Life with Larry.org.

And now for the Epilogue----- Everyone needs to have a little PMSS in their lives. Did I say PMS? Yes, P stands for Physical. I’m a very active person who loves to bicycle, run, hike and ski. M stands for Mental. I work on developing my mind with activities such as Toastmasters, writing, and reading. I play the piano anything from Mozart to Stairway to Heaven.  S stands for Social.  It is so important to cultivate friendships and reach out to help others. And the final S is for spiritual. It’s the fabric that has woven my life ever since I looked up at the sunset and gave my life to God during college.

As I said in my opening statement,  Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting," Oh my God, what a ride.”