How do I condense forty years into a few lines?

I have been living near Bemus Point, New York, for most of my adult life (Bemus Point is on Chautauqua Lake in the rolling hills of southwestern New York and near Chautauqua Institution). My husband, Tim, and I have been married for 37 years, and we are the parents of two: Angela, nearly 24, who just graduated from The George Washington University with a master's degree in international affairs; and Ethan, 21, who is currently a senior at Houghton College. Tim is a retired social studies teacher and guidance counselor. I have been an elementary school teacher ever since graduating from Houghton College in 1969, with the exception of 3 years in the late 1980's when my husband and I moved our family to Flagstaff, Arizona, so that Tim could get his doctorate in counseling. At that time, I worked for Northern Arizona University as its student teacher coordinator. I earned a master's degree in education from SUNY Fredonia in the 1970's.

Teaching was definitely not in the cards for me--or so I thought. I remember the time that 6th grader Chip Porter put chewing gum on an unsuspecting classmate's chair; he was royally reprimanded by our teacher, Miss Dunham. I had a hard time restraining my laughter because I thought the whole situation was very funny--and I knew that I could never be a teacher if keeping a straight face was a requirement. I have since discovered that there are many ploys to deal with such situations, one of which is facing the chalkboard long enough to regain one's composure!

Traveling has been one of our joys through the years. B.C. (Before Children) Tim and I traveled throughout the western United States and Canada several summers in a row with our CJ5 Jeep and a tent camper-- from the Fourth of July to nearly Labor Day. In the past few years we've been more sedate about our travels--cruising in the Caribbean or flying to Europe to visit Angela, who spent 5 months in France during a study-abroad program, or Ethan, who lived in London with Houghton's Honors Program.

Music has always been a passion of mine; if I had to do things over again, I might have chosen to major in music in college (as Mrs. Flatt suggested). Instead, I have to content myself with singing occasionally with music groups at my church, playing handbells there as well, and taking piano lessons (for fun!) during the summer. I recently spent a few weeks substituting for the choir conductor and church pianist at a country church nearby.

Life has had its ups and downs. Dealing with the deaths of my parents and my husband's parents has been a difficult emotional journey. On the plus side, I am in good health; and I am looking forward to a meaningful retirement in a couple of years and watching with interest and excitement as life unfolds for our children.

It will be a pleasure to reconnect with my classmates from 1965!