After graduating high school on a wing and a prayer, I displayed the audacity to go to college.
Much of the same continued at SUNY New Paltz until God threw me a life raft.
Going nowhere fast, my Dad picked me up after the second year (1.75 GPA) and offered a way out.
He was retiring, my folks were moving back to Texas (Austin, naturally) where they were from, and offered for me to join them and continue college in Texas.
I moved to Denton, Texas in the summer of 1978, attending NTSU. That college changed the trajectory of my life. I discovered I was actually smart for the first time in my life. Really, smart! I actually graduated college on the Dean’s list! And those wonderful parents of mine paid for my college with no expectation that my being degreed would ever happen. And yet, it did.
I found direction, a passion and career in serving people with disabilities, and through my internship eventually providing my 25 year career at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Austin. The state of Texas provided my retirement annuity. Human services does not earn you much money, but it does earn you continued appreciation and respect of those you’ve served.
In retirement (moving back to Denton after my career in Austin), I volunteered with a non profit bicycle shop, served as vice chair on the city’s committee for people with disabilities, and currently volunteer at the library where I’m so well known it’s my Cheers! Everybody knows my name.
I sold my truck 9 years ago and after being a lifelong cyclist, I now use my pedal assist electric bicycle and walking as my main forms of transportation. I’ve never been happier! It’s an enormous relief to no longer drive!
I’m a great daughter, aunt, niece, neighbor and friend; but after unsuccessful pairings I’ve lived very happily alone with Mrs. Worthington – my cat. As expected.
