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I moved from Greenville, after my Junior year, to New Orleans, where my husband was assigned as an Air Traffic Controller with FAA. We lived in NO and Slidell, LA for almost 5 year's, were re-assigned to Albuquerque, NM in 1964 and I have been here since. I divorced in 1971, remarried in 1975, my second husband is now deceased. I was a stay-at-home Mom during my first marriage, then went into the work force after divorcing. I worked as a DJ for a popular C&W radio station at night and as an optician during the day for many months, eventually had to give up the night job as I couldn't find a permanent live-in sitter for my children. Stayed in Optical for almost 37 year's managing a large Chain Optical outlet for 15 of those year's then managed the Optical Department for a large multi-doctor office the remainder of my career, retiring 2 year's ago. Now, I'm a stay-at-home mom again....the beauty in that is: my children are grown and long gone....but Hey! I'm still a mom....and now I'm at home again and enjoying every minute of it!
Before going into the work force, I was a Toastmistress; belonged to the Extension Club; played Marathon Bridge and was on a bowling league. I was also a volunteer at my children's school's.
I met and befriended many interesting people over the year's, mostly during my year's in optical, including 2 Governor's of NM and their wives; 2 Mayor's of Albuquerque; many radio and tv personalities (I met Phil Donohue in the '60's when I was in charge of PR for my Toastmistress chapter, when he worked at a local radio station before becoming well-known) and Notah Begay, an up-and-coming professional golfer before a back injury sidelined him, was a longtime patient and friend where I worked.
I miss contact with so many interesting people but do not miss working. I realize now that I'm perfectly content being a sloth, staying home reading voraciously, working crossword puzzles and any other brain games I come across, sketching, playing Wii, playing Scrabble on the computer...I've worn out 2 Scrabble disc's since I retired! I do have a busy life outside the home also, doing things with friend's from work; going to the gym 3 times a week; walking in the beautiful foothills of the Sandia Mountains where I live and in the summer of 2008 befriended three young, talented Ecuadorean musicians who play the most beautiful music on wind reeds, pan flutes, etc. In other word's, I have become, in my 'maturity' (?), what my kids call a 'Groupie'! I am their 'adopted' Mama, they are my 'adopted' hijo's.
Along the way, these past 50 year's, I have weathered Lupus since 1973 (nearly died twice, now in remission); lost a grandchild in a tragic accident; lost a brother and sister-in-law under tragic circumstances; lost my second husband and then my Mother. I had a brain tumor (non-malignant) removed in 2002 that has left me with a crooked mouth when I speak and a crooked smile and right eye that doesn't work properly, so I wear an eyepatch and am known as the Lady Pirate of Albuquerque. Then, to cap off my 37 year career....I alway's said I would go out with a bang when I retired....I had a heart attack the day before my retirement! I've alway's tried to live up to my word but think that was over (almost) kill!
Through all that, I have never lost my drive; my spirit; my sense of humor; my love of and faith in God; my love of humankind; animalkind or Life in general! What I HAVE lost...other than my hearing and eyesight...would you believe it?!....is my body's loyalty and sense of gravity! First, an earthquake created numerous faultlines from the neck up, then those parts of the body that started out near the Canadian border started creeping toward Wyoming 20 year's ago, picked up a little speed and crossed over the Rockies 10 year's ago, hit a slippery slope and slalomed downhill at Olympic speed 5 year's ago....ending up somewhere near Mexico City....and now are past the Equator, fast approaching the Cape Horn!!! If I AM able to attend our 50th reunion, I'll need to re-establish myself as a citizen of the United States to get a new passport.
My life hasn't all been about me though....I have three wonderful children, a son, Tracey, who gave up a career as an Environmental Geologist to do what he loves...piloting and teaching flying as well as managing the Boulder, Co. airport, and daughter Kini, who lives in Denver and is a very successful Senior Paralegal. I also have a daughter,Tara, who lives here in Albuquerque, who is a Caregiver. I have 3 grandson's and a granddaughter who have also blessed my life. I live with a cat, 2 Cockatiel's and an Indian Ringneck Parrot. I no longer need a husband because I have something warm and cuddly (cat); something to talk with (parrot); mouths to feed and messes to clean up after without having to account for where I've been and what I've been up to.....I may have finally achieved Nirvana!
