Ephrata Alumni Association

Lorraine Nyby White

2010 Profile

Resides: Kirkland, Washington

Husband is Jack.

Here it is August 3rd; I am finally addressing my writing responsibility to the class of 1965. I commend all who got yours together before NOW. My intention was to write two months ago, but somehow time slipped away…. even though my brain would send me random thoughts of growing up in Ephrata as a reminder of my goal. Hmmmmm, random thoughts? Is that old age?

In 2005 we were on the downhill side of 50. I was focused on Jack, my children, my grandchildren, my friends. I was doing pretty much the same as I am doing now but perhaps not with the same awareness.

In early 2007 I turned 60. Ahhh yes, a milestone in life, worthy of celebration. I’m sure all of you had the same thoughts on the subject of turning 60 as I did. “ Wow,” I thought, ” 60! How can that be? It seems like yesterday I was 28!”

My 60th birthday started in the early morning with a walk in Marymoor Park, Jack at my side, accompanied with a little rain. I like weather, rain, snow, sun, storms, love it all, so it was pleasant. Our ambition was to walk to a breakfast ‘cafe’ we like, about two miles from our starting point. As we walked the rain drops fell with greater purpose. We arrived at a point in the trail offering cover from a bridge above. We stopped under the cover of the bridge and deliberated if we should go forward or backwards toward our car. The wind picked up and whipped at our hooded rain jackets. The clouds to the west were pewter gray, with light gray streaks reaching down to the earth. “Those clouds are coming our way,” I say. “The streaking is a clear sign of heavy rain.” We turned and headed back to the car, no heavy rain, just a light sprinkling added to our journey back. Our car ride to the Café turned out to be a fearful time for me. How could a trip that should have taken 5 – 10 minutes take 25 minutes? Jack took the most convoluted roads to arrive at our destination. I of course had a few words regarding his choices, “Why the H did you take that road,” I ask? He calmly looked confused and stated he forgot the way to get there. “Holy crap I thought, you forgot??? Jeez are you on the road to Alzheimer’s????” Oooooo, that’s a scary dreaded thought! We arrived at the cafe safely and I was greeted with the surprise of all my children and grandchildren awaiting my arrival. Jack just smiled with the art of an actor. He knew what he was doing, biding time for a tardy child. That was a good thing as I was beginning to wonder if the 60s were going to be stormy, confusing and scary!

Actually I welcome the 60s with open arms, singing in this ‘new age’ as an opportunity to grow, to welcome new thoughts, to be open to life. I choose to accept, appreciate, and I to wrap my arms around life no matter what. I eagerly seek out new thoughts and ideas through books, my computer, and best of all people, either through listening or observing.

I spend my time with family, Gods greatest gift to me. Love spoiling my Grandchildren. I spend time with friends who create a health balance in my life. I get “job stimulation” by working one day a week for my daughter-in-law. I embrace humility and service by trying to accommodate with kindness and humor Jack’s mom, a 92 year old grouchy person. I find peace working in my garden marveling at the wonder of plant life, such tenaciousness! I have a few odd creatures I enjoy nurturing, (Jack is NOT one of them, but I am still nurturing him too.) I stay in tune with my creativity and most importantly I am open to the God of the Universal, I welcome the presence of God every day. I work hard at accepting what my energies draw to me, the good, the questionable, and the ugly.

If my knees or wrist shower me with an explosion of pain thus communicating to me that I am working too hard, I humbly accept the message. Thank my cells for their wisdom. Retire my body to a lounge chair, a bottle of water (or perhaps a tall glass of iced wine) and a good book. To heck with the projects, I thumb my nose to the 5’ weeds. (And no that is not a reverse of Nigel’s mistake in the movie Spinal Tap. This year the weeds truly are 5 feet NOT 5 inches.)

Blessings to you all.

PS: that SS check I receive once a month is a very welcome bonus, a reminder it’s good to be 62 or older.