I’m so grateful to the committee for this sneak peek at each others’ lives. I’ve been wondering how we catch up on 50 years during our brief get together (and how we recognize each other’s faces in the first place). Here’s my attempt to summarize the past half century.
I went to SUNY New Paltz, finally had to major in something besides swim team, and got a degree in English. In 1989, I went to Albany Law School at age 30, got my JD, and moved to Columbia County because it’s so damned beautiful, and practiced law in the Capital Region for 20 years. I loved the research and writing, especially as a judicial clerk to a County Court judge for a couple of years, but the rest of the time employed in private practice the billable hour was not a good fit. I also always wanted to be outdoors in the daylight, bicycling, kayaking, swimming, etc.
In 2009, I decided I liked my paddling buddy’s career better than my own. Bob is a professional land surveyor and I’ve been working with him in the field since then, and living with him since 2010.
I paddle on the Hudson River a mile from my house in good weather and we spend time in Florida during the winter. We enjoy traveling, gardening (lots of gardening!), and visiting his son and daughter (I’m an honorary grandma to a 10- and 6-year-old!).
It feels odd looking here at pictures of people I felt I knew so well and I feel the same affection for, but I wonder how it works assuming we’ve all changed a lot since we were growing up together. Guess we’re going to find out! Can’t wait!