We are so old! And yet we are so young!

Well, I'm going to ease into this with some clichés: High school seems like just yesterday, and at the same time it seems like another lifetime and another world. When we were in high school people got dressed up to fly on airplanes or go to New York City. And we had to use carbon paper. We are so old! And yet we are so young! How can it be?

Since high school I've lived in Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, and now California. After college I taught in the New York City public school system for four years, then worked as a legal secretary for three years. While living in New York, in 1972, I married Ted Krontiris, whom I had met while an undergraduate at the University of Chicago. When he completed his medical school and graduate school studies, in 1977, we moved to Boston for his internship, residency and post-doctoral work. Shortly after moving there I got a job at the Atlantic Monthly magazine, and I have worked for it ever since-first as a secretary, then as a fact checker. I was in charge of the checking department for many years before we moved to California. I kept my job when we moved and work from home, their first employee to do so. (Thank goodness for e-mail and the fax machine.) I have loved my job and the people I've worked with and feel fortunate to have had such stimulating and satisfying employment. We moved to Pasadena in 1996 when Ted was offered a position at City of Hope, a non-profit hospital and research institution. He is now head of its cancer center and in charge of medical and scientific affairs. I never expected or wanted to live in California, and I have been surprised and delighted with how much I like it. The mountains are stunning, the weather is great, and the people are diverse and friendly.

We have three daughters: Kate, 23, Elizabeth, 21, and Charlotte, 18. Kate graduated from Columbia last year and now lives and works in Brooklyn. Elizabeth and Charlotte will both be at the University of Chicago next year; Elizabeth as a senior and Charlotte as a freshman. Our family has been a great source of joy to us, and we have had wonderful times together.

I am concerned about what it will be like to have our youngest leave home. Perhaps I can get some advice from my classmates. My job situation is also suddenly unsettled. The owner of the Atlantic Monthly recently decided to move the magazine to Washington, D.C. next January, and almost all of the people I work with will not be moving with it. I could continue to work as I have, but I'm not sure I want to. Maybe it is time for something new. Job advice will also be welcome.

I have happy memories of my time in high school, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone.