In early February, 2015, I will be turning 70.
I’ve been thinking a great deal about this milestone. I’m pretty sure 70 is not considered young or even middle-aged by anyone under, well, 70!
I’ve been living the senior, retired life for a few years now and it’s been pretty good. Free bus Wednesdays, discounts once a month at local drugstores (and you’ve got to believe we frequent pharmacies a lot these days), special status on VIA rail, and senior coffees at various cafes and bistros.
But my mind has been turning back to my childhood, my youth, and my middle years.
1965
I turned 20. I was finally out of my teen-aged years but not quite, according to the law of the land in those days, an adult.
- I was in my fourth year at university, studying arts and education.
- I still lived at home with most of my brothers and sisters, and I used to run up the hill every day in my effort to get to class on time. Successful most of the time.
- On weekends and in the summer, I had to be home by 10:30, and I was!
- In May, I graduated with an education degree.
- I was hired, by letter, to teach elementary school in Edmonton, Alberta, about 3,000 km (2,000 m) from my home in Nova Scotia.
- I travelled by plane for the first time. Halifax – Edmonton.
- I started teaching Grade 1.
- I met my husband-to-be on September 19.
- At Christmas time we drove from Edmonton to Fort Smith, NWT, to spend Christmas with John’s family.
- On Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) John and I decided to get married and go to Zambia, in Africa, to work as volunteers. (Our next anniversary will be our 49th.)
There were many changes in my life the year I was 20. I left home, travelled, and fell in love.
What could be more exciting than that?
Thanks for reading. Enjoy your day.
– Maureen
Old Girl New Tricks 