My retirement began in 1994 when both my husband and I retired from our respective careers. I spent 27 years in the classroom teaching Language Arts, grades 7-12. Now, seventeen years later, we find ourselves busier than we ever expected. In 1995 we relocated from Anchorage, Alaska, where we spent 25 years raising our daughter and pursuing our careers, to Washington state. We settled in Snohomish county. In 2009 we were able to sell our house and move 25 miles south to Redmond, WA putting us closer to our daughter and grandson. We moved into an active 55+ planned community offering houses without stairs and activities to keep as busy as we’d like to be. Once settled into our new home, I’ve immersed myself in learning the game of bridge and attending social events with new friends in my age group. Being closer to our 8 year old grandson, and being able to volunteer in his classrooms one morning a week, has made the move a win/win for all of us.
Time goes so fast, I can’t believe 50 years have passed since the class of 61 graduated from high school. While attending both the 20th and 40th reunions, I felt 18 once again. I’m looking forward to that feeling with our 50th.