Ladies Who Lunch

The Washington High School Girl's Class of Winter 60 (Los Angeles, CA) met at the Long Beach Marriot at 11:30 AM last Saturday. What a blast! It was so much fun visiting with women, most of whom I haven't seen in 17 years and some whom I haven't seen since we graduated. I would have to say we looked pretty darn good for our ages, since we have either turned 65 this year or will on our next birthday. I think I was one of the youngest since my birthdy isn't until October - I skipped the B-2. When I went to school in Los Angeles every semester was like a new year. You could actually begin school in February. Thus the B-2, A-2 etc. You changed classrooms and teachers in Sept and Feb. So instead of 6 elementary teachers or 7 with K you had 12 (or 14). We did that all through high school that is why we graduated in Jan.

Probably the biggest topic of conversation was how we are handling turning 65. That and how many husbands! Actually we had a pretty good percentage who are still married to their original spouses, including me. One of the ladies is raising her two grandchildren, one of who is 13- ouch. BTW she is one of the youngest looking ones, maybe there is something to having a young one around. Most of us were retired but some were still working. One of my friends is a secretary at Saddleback Community Church - where Rick Warren preaches. Her husband and I went to Sunday School together when we were in elementay school. He also graduated with our class. Another classmate who couldn't make it sent a letter to pass around - with pictures (then and now). She lives in Reno, NV and couldn't attend because she and her husband had two horses who were racing that day. Another woman retired from Los Angeles City Hall but still goes in (from her home in Palm Springs) 3 days a week - as a consultant. She was secretary (later title change to Administrative assistant) to the mayor(s) of Los Angeles. She started right out of high school. I think I was the only retired teacher, but we had three social workers (one retired, two still working). It was so intersting learning about each other.

I had originally planned to fly home on Sunday but had decided to fly home Saturday. There were seats available on a 5:20 flight out of Orange County and I was sure that would give me enough time. Well, by 3:20 we were still talking. I think we had about 30 women and we were each telling about the last 47 years. We had finished lunch started going around the room reliving our lives, taken a potty break and I had to leave. I think I missed about 4 ladies' stories. Next year I plan to go back and I will definitely stay over until Sunday. Our 50th High School reunion will be held in 2009 with the '59 graduating classes. Several of the women who were there are on that planning committee.