Ralph Shipler:  

April 2019. To not get old I am caregiver to 90 year old severe dementia patient and basically father to my 8 year old grand-daughter. Not much time left for social or other. That is okay since I burned the candle so hard for too many years. I went to Maryland University right after High School graduation. Started in Physical Education to become a coach and changed to a Business and Public Administration degree (BS). Married Dianne Harmon three days after I turned 19; she was 17. We had children in 64, 67, 70 (twins). Moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa upon college graduation (1966)- a disaster for Dianne and Me. The town and people were great but I gave into my lusts and our marriage went down hill after that. Dianne is a fantastic person and I still love her. My fault for the divorce almost completely. I could not handle not living with my kids and being torn between two women I loved. Accordingly, I turned to drugs and drinking to mask the pain. In high school and until age 26, I was not a drinker or drugger. Boy did I make up for those missed years. Spent the next 18 years drinking and druggin every day. (If you attended our 10th and 20th re-unions, your probably know how messed up I was). I was successful in every job I took on but gave them up due to my dysfunction with drinking and drugs. Became a very good golfer in the 70's, partied almost to my death, was a sick gambler, and such a dysfunctional parent (I am sorry kids). My young son almost went to jail for following in my footsteps with drinking and drugging. To help him stop I agreed to stop abusing alcohol and drugs if he would. I have been sober and without drugs for 18 years now. By the grace of GOD, Dianne was the major positive force in my first four kids lives. They are beautiful and successful people. I love them dearly. In 1982 I became coach of a Women's 18 and over soccer team. Gail, my 2nd wife, placed an ad in Washingtonian Magazine indicating she played soccer and referred to herself as the "Tap Lady". I fi...Expand for more