Virginia Spearing ------------ And in between...
Thinking back to the Fifties seems like quite a reach back in time, but then again it seems like only yesterday.
I do remember quite clearly when in1955 my father retired and announced that we were leaving our home in Roslyn, NY and moving to Florida. I was beside myself! How could he uproot us and leave just when I was going to begin my senior year at a high school that I had attended with friends that I had known my whole life? My place in the social scene in high school would certainly change. Well, things did change and all for the better. I choose to think of it as fate because my senior year at PBHS could not have been happier for me. So thanks to the great teachers and my classmates for doing your part and making it happen for me!
After graduation, I spent the better part of the summer waiting for a reply from FSU to see if I had been accepted into the freshman class. Fortunately the letter of acceptance finally arrived late July and I started my freshman year as an art major. That career choice was a bit too abstract for me and lasted for one semester. So I changed majors and moved to the School of Medical Technology. That was a good move on my part because working as a Medical Technologist at a community hospital has been what I have been doing all these interim years and still do.
After graduation from FSU in 1960 I did my internship at Holyoke Hospital, Holyoke, Ma, which is located in the picturesque, western part of the state. The following year I started my first job at Montclair Hospital, Montclair, NJ, mainly to become reacquainted with a long lost brother, sister in law, three nieces and two nephews. What a wonderful find!
After about a year in Montclair, my parents in declining health, I returned to Massachusetts and found a job at the then 200-bed Norwood Hospital. That was in 1963.
I attained the position as Assistant Head Technologist, Chemistry Supervisor and Teaching Supervisor at the Norwood Hospital School of Medical Technology.
In April 1966 I was the recipient of two tickets to the Norwood Hospital Charity Ball being held at the exclusive Blue Hills Country Club in Milton, Ma... and I had no date!
Well, a good friend of mine was going and her date had an unattached friend so I was set up on a blind date that lasted for 33 years. We were married the following June and our daughter, Tracey Lee, was born in May of '68. My husband, Bruce, followed in his father's footsteps and worked as an independent realtor/developer servicing Norwood and the surrounding communities both in commercial and residential real estate.
Both my parents passed away in the early 1970's, each after long illnesses.
My father in law, 93 years young, is still very much a part of my life. He is a very active resident in an independent living community. He still is driving (which is just a bit worrisome), gardens, travels and is in charge of his own affairs. Truly, he is a positive example to follow.
In 1969 we moved from our little duplex in Norwood to a raised ranch in Franklin and in 1973 moved to a house on five-acres in Norfolk (all neighboring towns) and called it Top O' the Hill Farm, where I still live. For those ensuing years I have worked mainly as a hematologist on the evening shift at the hospital and my focus was that of running the farm and raising my family.
My love of the outdoors, gardening and horses all came to fruition. How can one live on five acres with a home and two barns and not have a horse? My husband was not the horse enthusiast that his wife was, but he certainly indulged my passion. We, as a family, have wonderful memories of trips up to Vermont and New Hampshire, complete with our various dogs and equines not to mention trail riding in local areas.
In November of 1999 my life was forever changed. My loving husband of all those years passed away suddenly. It has been a very long and difficult transition for which I was very ill prepared. What one learns though is that life goes on. I feel very fortunate to have a wonderful daughter and family and wonderful friends who have been a great help to me in difficult periods as I try to make a new life for myself.
I am still working part time with a great work crew We have all worked together for many years and we engage in many social endeavors, which have included white water rafting in northern Maine and western Ma, kayaking in the various bays along the coast and hiking. I have learned that if an opportunity presents itself, go for it.
I still have Seabreeze, my little Lippett Morgan horse. We brought Seabreeze home when he was a four month old colt and he is now 11, trained to ride and drive. I really enjoy driving and figure when I am too old to ride I can still hitch up the sturdy Meadowbrook cart and enjoy a pleasant drive. At one time we had 11 horses at the farm, (must have beenout of my mind!) three of which were ours, and the rest were standardbred racehorses from the Foxborough Racetrack, which is now Gillette Stadium. The football enthusiasts will recognize this as the home of the NE Patriots.
Before I end my epistle, I must include a note about my best little friend, Calvin. Calvin is a tri colored beagle basset mix hound, twenty-six pounds of loyalty and devotion. What a guy!'
In June of 2000, my daughter sent me on a surprise vacation out to Colorado to visit my college roommate, Andee, whom I hadn't seen for many years. She was quite the tour guide and we had an extensive trip for ourselves into the Rockies and Estes Park. My daughter and I have taken two wonderful vacations together in Wyoming and this spring to Sedona, AZ. The best trip was to a working guest ranch just north of Jackson Hole, Wy. In the early morning, from our cabin, we could see mist rising from the Snake River. In the background were Mt. Moran, and the Grand Tetons. The trail riding in the high elevations was the most challenging I have ever done. Elk, bison, and bear (tracks) were abundant. Now I know what is meant by "the wide open spaces".
So, here it all ends, for now. Do remember to keep the glass half full!