Beth Edmonston:  

time I was witnessing an important slice of American culture and history in the making! Life in California was a breakthrough period for me - I made many wonderful friends who introduced me to new experiences like cross-country skiing, wilderness backpacking, whitewater rafting, sailing, and fishing for wild salmon during migration season. One cherished memory is the three years I lived alone in a rustic redwood cabin in the Santa Cruz mountains. I had a wood-burning stove for heat and, for a time, no telephone. I learned to split and stack wood, grow vegetables, and be partially self-sufficient. While away on a backpacking trip, a wildfire swept through the mountains where I lived. I didn't know about it until I returned, when I was met by a squadron of police and emergency vehicles at the turnoff into the mountains. I was directed to stay at the Red Cross center. When I was allowed to re-enter the area, my cabin and street was the only area untouched by the fire. I noticed my gladiolas were taller, more brilliant in color, and profusely blooming than before. It was a strange and faith-inspiring event. After about five years in California, what I believed was true love led me on a journey back East, to live in Washington D.C. The single positive outcome from that decision was getting a job at the National Gallery of Art, editing art exhibition books (you know, those beautiful coffee table books). I was jazzed to take the metro to and from downtown. Otherwise, my heart was broken. Finally, I relocated to Pennsylvania, where several family members still reside. Over the past 20 years I've worked at Penn State's College of Arts & Architecture as a marketing manager, Minitab (a statistical software company) in public relations, and most recently for PBS as the project manager for a documentary film. At age 35 I married and four years later we adopted a 2-day old baby girl - our beautiful daughter, Micaela. My husband traveled constantly for IBM as a "mobile consultant," and I found myself raising her alone. Just about when we couldn't take it any more, he was offered a position at Penn State University. When Micaela was five we adopted our fabulous little boy, Miles. Having younger children at home keeps me going! Lots of baseball, football, basketball, swimming, skiing, thespians, concerts, marching band, cooking, driving - most of you have been through this, right? However, I feel a little smug at my age helping with elementary school Valentine and Halloween parties. I'll be 64 years old by the time my youngest leaves home for college - whew! While marriage and family life is an ancient institution, it's an ever-changing journey for me, much like when I traveled to new places. At times the ride is bumpy with cloudy views, like being on a jolting, hissing train in the fog. Then the sun breaks through and a surprising rainbow or beautiful vista appears. The ride is layered with different experiences and I'm learning to cherish the fleeting, beautiful moments that transform what's mundane into an enriching, life-affirming adventure.