Retired.......

It is hard to believe it’s been 40 years. When I heard Gwyn O’Toole’s  voice, “Karen, is that you? This is Gwyn Bent, I can’t believe I found you!” and then after hanging up, I didn’t know what  do! So I went shopping…To try and recap 40 years….After 2 unsuccessful tries at marriage, and raising my two “Glorious” children, I am now happily married to my best friend of 20 years and living in Mill Valley(married in 2003). My son, Chris is 25 and works in sales management for Gallo Wines and my daughter, Hillary is 23 and works as a chemical dependency counselor. I kid them about stealing each other’s clients. Talk about a metaphor for 2 sides of the same coin. They are truly my pride and joy and certainly grounded me to what is important in life. While climbing mountains chasing my dreams( I was really only wanting to have a family) I have had quite an exciting 40 years living in California…from a career in the airlines as a fight attendant/manager…a management consultant for start-up airlines…a marketing executive in the  food industry, to actually owning my own national food company…then an information technology creative consultant for Siemens. I even managed to spend a number of years owning and showing jumpers and even dabbled in the race horse industry (I also managed to influence my daughter’s love of horses). Now I am back pursuing my love of painting and simply enjoying my husband and family time. I am looking forward to seeing my old friends and laughing about the good times we had…most of which I have probably forgotten, although a few pop out…spiking the punch in journalism class with Steve Strane and Mike Petit, Long Bar trips, of course Curt Oliver had to remind me of the apache run at Mar Vista High the night before the big game…Tide in the pool, manure on the football field.  I was truly there as a witness. But ohhhhhh….the next day, facing Mr. Oliver and the school!  I will continue to think of all the good times between now and July 5^th  and most importantly look forward to sharing memories and laughter with old friends.