We were gyspy farmers growing crops from lettuce to sugar beets in Sedgwick and Hereford, TX before settling at Holyoke in 1967. We have our own irrigated farm and grow corn and wheat. Retirement is being discussed.

In 1981 I became a travel agent, and owned my own agency for a short time. I retired in May 1995.

For 23 years I had 4 children to raise. When the twins left in 1985 I stood on the front porch with my hair hanging limply around my once youthful face and threw lackadaisical kisses to them as they drove away. Don still had enough energy to run to the corner to wave. I never did know if it was to cheer them on or to make sure they were not coming back. Goodparenting has its rewards, though, as all are happy and well.

Toni is 38 and lives in Julesburg where she is the Title One teacher in 'our' grade school and also teaches Drivers Ed. Her son is a freshman there.

Chris is 36, lives in Winfield, IL with his wife and baby boy. He trades for himself on The Chicago Board of Trade.

Michael is one of the twins, age 33. He lives with his wife and three children in Kimball, NE. He farms sugar beets. Lots and lots of sugar beets.

Danette is Michael's twin. She is a new stay-at-home mother with her baby boy. She and her husband live in Highlands Ranch, CO. That gives us 6 grand children with 2 more on the way this summer.

Heaven got a little nicer in 1997 when we lost my mom at the age of 84. My 85 year old dad lives alone in Crook, CO where he does a bit of gardening and still drives.

Life is quiet for us here with the kids gone but we have wonderful friends. Don golfs, I enjoy my summer flowers and we both love books and movies.

I have over 20 email addresses from school friends who are located all over the United States. Some of us keep in close contact and it is fun to hear where they are and what they are experiencing on any given day.

In 1998, Mary and I vacationed in Boston and Cape Cod. In 2000, Don and I spent a week with her in the Florida Keys. Mary and I met Dan's son there, he is a clone of Dan's looks and mannerisms, and he is just as nice.

In 1997, Bula and I spent a week with Jean and her family in Oregon and we enjoyed a few days in a house on the coast. There wasn't a silent moment the entire time we were together.

In the summer of 1999 we visited Larry and Susy Spears at Granby, CO. This trip was prompted by a video Larry sent showing their beautiful ranch and Colorado River, which is just a few feet from their back door. Within a week of

The biggest surprise of my life was at San Diego in February 2000. Peggy and Dale drove 2 hours to the airport to see us for about 30 minutes when Don and I were catching a plane.

The nicest surprise of my life was Carol returning a childhood Santa to me which I had lost track of until 1996. (See centerfold photograph for reference) I've made wonderful memories in Julesburg as I frequently stop to see Carol and visit for the afternoon. Interesting and enjoyable lunches have been shared with Carolyn, Carol, Judy Kenney, Sandi, Geraldine, Peggy, Bula, Larry and Susy. John drove to Holyoke to lunch with us when he was in Julesburg visiting his sister and he was still playing 50's tunes on his car radio. Lonny stops by to see me once in awhile and we have good chats but I will miss seeing her mom with her in the future. Telephone calls from Dan brighten my day from time to time and in 1999 I chatted by phone with Violet for about 45 minutes when we were in Savannah, GA. Life has been good to her.

I've deeply felt the pain of the class members who have lost their loved ones but have been fortunate enough to enjoy the travels and joys of life with others. As always, the last five years have been extremely good to me and the new memories I made with so many of my classmates were among my very best times.

Jerry Seinfeld said, "I think the most you can hope for at the end of life is that your hair is messed, you're out of breath, and you didn't throw up!" That appropriately sums up my life thus far.

Don spoils me rotten and I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.