Mary Chastain:
CLASS OF 1970
James Marshall High SchoolClass of 1970
West sacramento, CA
Mary's Story
Wow...hard to believe that it's been 40 years since we left James Marshall High School. (And there is no high school called James Marshall in W. Sacto. anymore!) Since I don't live in the state of California or W. Sacramento...I've lost track of all but a few friends. I keep up with Jolene DeGroot, Nancy Miller, Wes Beers. That's about all!
I've been married to the same "bad boy" Jerry Chastain for 37 years. I got married very young and filled my 20's having babies. I have 5 children and 4 grandchildren with one of the way. My oldest son, Jared (35)lives far, far away in Chattanooga, TN. He and his wife (Michelle) had their first child in June 09. Grey. He's a cute little thing with lots of hair and beautiful eyes. Jerry & I were able to travel out to Chattanooga for 3 weeks right after Grey was born to help. I was nice to be away together and be with our oldest son. The humidity in Chattanooga took its toll on our outside activities..but we were able to help with Grey.
Katie, my oldest daughter (34) lives 2 blocks from us, has two children, & is a fantastic teacher in a town about 17 miles away. She's been married for 10 years to Steve Bailey.
My next daughter, Becky, (31)lives in Midvale Utah. She had a son when she was 19. Addictions to prescription pain meds has plagued her for 10 years. But, she's been "clean" for one year down in Utah.
Her son, Griffin, now 12, lives with my youngest daughter Rachel (27)and her husband (Tyler) in Astoria, OR. Rachel is a high school counselor. She is an advocate for the homeless students and those that easily can fall through the cracks. They are expecting their first child in early June. Perfect timing for a teacher. Tyler is in the Coast Guard.
My youngest son Josh is 23. He started college a few years ago...but was just in over his head. Two years ago he sustained a TBI. Traumatic Brain Injury (skate boarding..no helmet). He lost a his short term memory...but is slowing getting better. He also hurt his back. He is now enrolled in a community college in Spokane. He is very close to Jerry and Jerry goes with him to all of his doctor's appointments etc.
Josh's life as started to come together over his first quarter of school. He is taking 3 classes this quarter and has decided to be an art teacher and coach jr. high or high school sports. He played football, basketball and baseball all through high school. If he's going to only teach art, he'll probably have to find a large scho...Expand for more
ol district in which to teach.
I've been a Music/Spanish/Art teacher for 22 years in several small schools. I've been here in LaCrosse for 19 years. We are K-12 school with a total of 150 students. Very small! I like that. The town of LaCrosse has about 350 people in it.
Jerry & I owned and operated the only market in LaCrosse for 18 years. Because of health problems and economic difficulties, we had to close the store last Feb.
That has been quite a relief, but has caused emotional distress, etc. We had to declare bankruptcy. Jerry's body is now feeling all of the old injuries, diabetes, fibromyalgia...etc. He was in a motorcycle accident in September and cracked ribs and broke one finger. He has lasting pain from that. He was watched over by our Heavenly Father, as we were unable to find him for 9 hours after his accident. He went into a ditch with high over growth and wasn't able to be seen from the road. He cell phone wasn't working, so we weren't able to find him that way.
He said it was a very humbling experience as he waited for someone to find him. Because he was a volunteer fire fighter in high school and had EMT training, he knew not to move his body in that ditch. The doctors told us he would have probably punctured his lungs or been paralized. So...that was quite an emotional draining time for Jerry and his family.
So...I try to stay active with school activities and walking. Jerry and I both are active in our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). That brings us much joy too.
I sing in a 20 voice women's choir and play the piano for church. Singing in the woman's choir entitled, Tapestry, fulfills my need to perform! The music is challenging and the director hears every mistake! Our three Christmas concerts are in early December...so we are down to only a few rehearsal left!
I go to Weight Watchers as often as I can. Age seems to have the affect of adding weight on...and I'm trying constantly to combat that. Since we live 30 miles from the nearest larger town...rehearsals for Tapestry and Weight Watchers and Church are a distance away. But, I've gotten used to that since we've lived here in this area for 27 years!
I am still a happy person. I try to look beyond my struggles and help other people. If I only think about my difficulties, I go a little crazy.
My life as seemed to go flashing before me. Yes.....we're all not really old...but if I'm not careful...I can feel old! Mary
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