Dear Class of '65
It's been twenty years since I've seen any of you. I attended the 1975 and 1985 reunions; Mariette attended the 1985 and 1995 reunions, so at least the family has been represented throughout.
Timing is everything, they say, and as you all get together for what will be a great event, on that very same day I'll be flying to New Zealand, leading a group of skiers to enjoy the antipodes. I wish I could rearrange my schedule, but time forbids.
So what has happened to me since last I saw you? In 1990 I got married to a great green-eyed redhead, with the temperament to match. It was the most wonderful three years of my life; unfortunately I was married for five year. However, we're still good friends. At my age, no kids, of course.
I moved from Falls Church to Reston (near Dulles Airport) at the same time; a great location but, like all of the DC suburbs, getting crowded and very expensive
I mentioned skiing: in the late 1980's it became the passion of my life. I've had the opportunity to ski all throughout the eastern and western states, Canada, New Zealand, Chile, and the European Alps. I don't claim to be an expert, but I enjoy the sport, the beauty of the high country, the vistas that never cease to amaze, the camaraderie of the groups I'm with, the varied cultures of the countries we visit, and the good food. Also, I try to use the French and German I never quite mastered. Too bad Holland has no ski resorts.
Late in 2002, the Feds decided that my organization was no longer an integral part of our agency's DoD mission and I retired, after 32 years of service, at age 55. Retirement, despite it being forced, is great. I'm superb at being lazy. I'm a night owl anyway, so not getting up at 4:45 AM is no great loss to my life. My health is good; I do a lot of biking and try to work out in the gym. I'm nowhere in the shape Mariette (the Pilates fiend) is, but she always had the looks while I always had the…whatever.
Our parents are both gone. My mother passed away in 1999, of a stroke; my father two years later of Alzheimer's. I'm sure many of you have gone through the same situations. Luckily I had Mariette, her husband Dan, and my sister Ingrid (Class of '69, Curator of Small Primates at the St. Louis Zoo) to carry me through those days. But it left our family so much smaller.
Because Mariette is moving, I'm enclosing photos for the both of us, so perhaps you will recognize us and note that we have aged gracefully.
Thanks for all the preparations; I truly wanted to attend and see so many of you (I looked through our yearbook - very nostalgic). To all of you I wish health, happiness, and the joy of your families.
Best Regards,
Peter Porton
(president@pentagonskiclub.org)
Dear Class of '65
As I sit here amongst boxes stacked to the ceiling, I am reminded that I was never good at multi-tasking which is why my brother has kindly taken over the job of letting you know briefly how/what we are doing and finding a photograph (mine are packed and will probably not see the light of day for some time).
As Peter said, my husband and I are moving back to Tucson June 1 after living in Indianapolis 31 years. It is bittersweet as we are leaving a community and friends that we have grown to care for in order to return to the town where I went to college, we met, and both have always loved. We will take our business of 23 years, Mardan Architectural Photography, with us but plan to do more traveling. Besides wandering the country on the blue highways documenting areas like the disappearing prairie, we have also been lucky to spend a lot of time in South America and even Cuba (Dan's Spanish helps).
I too wish I could join you all, but, as with Peter, the timing just won't allow it. I look forward to reading your stories, and perhaps in another 10 years we will be able to join the class of '65 for its 50th year celebration.
