Gayle Winter:  

Wow, when the existing profile, I realized it was 10 years old. Thought I'd better update it. My kids are now 43 and 45, not 33 and 35. I am single and have been since Bruce and I divorced in 1985 (though I've had a couple long term relationships since then). I am still open to the concept of love and marriage. It just hasn't happened yet. I've dreamt for years that it might occur at my 50th reunion--we all hear stories about this happening. I been selling real estate now for 24 years. I am with Coldwell Banker and have lived in the same Tudor-home for 23 years in Seward Park, with a view of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier. Needless to say, the past few years have been a struggle with the market the way it is, but things seem to be picking up. I was fortunate enough to be featured in Seattle Magazine as one of the Nation's top 7%. I look at my career as one of service, not sales. I love working with first time buyers, and senior citizens whose lives are in transition. I'd be honored to help any of my classmates who might read this. I have truly enjoyed living here near Lake Washington and in a gentrified community--that is actually why I left Bellevue years ago. I'm proud to live in the most diverse zip code in the nation. I've lost both my parents since our last reunion. At this age, I've come to appreciate all they offered me in terms of work ethics, never taking things for granted, and treating all peoples equally. I was blessed to have them in my life for so long. I am still full of life and pizzazz, fell much younger than my years. I stay fit by playing soccer, pickleball, working ot at my gym. I am passionate about gardening, music, TRAVEL (just checked off the rafting the Grand Canyon from my bucket list). Four years ago I went on a Safari to Africa. It was life changing and increased my longings and curiosity about other countries and peoples' lives. I am probably not going to be a grandmother--I've given up on my kids, neither who are married. So, I'd love to conncect with a life partner who has grandchildren. I know I'd make a fantastic grandama. I currently watch (and have water balloon fights and silly string fights) with my younger colleages' children. They call me Grandma Gayle. I feel as though I have a lot of living and loving to do. To answer some of the suggested questions: "Ho do I think my old friends remember me?" My best friend would tell you I'm an energetic, tenacious, generous, a good listener, kind mother, compassionate, funny, adventursome, and fun-loving person, AND people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as a combination of serious to silly. Those of you from highschool probably remember me as being very social (did they call us "soc's), active in Student Body, and hard working. "I always wanted to be" a mother when I grew up. My family and friends thought I should finish college first. As it turns out, we were all right. "How do I blow off steam?" Exercise "What's the wildest thing in did in school?" Put a hair in an order of French Fries at R.D's, asked the waitress to take the order back and bring a new one (this was of course after my friends and I had alrady eaten have the order). "If I'm going to work somewhere," I need to have: people around me, freedom to wander, and a flexible schedule to be able to enjoy my day to day life. . "Do I have a hero?" We are all heros in our own right. "The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is?" Howard Shenson. "Share your obsessions." No obessions, to speak of, but love children, animals, gardening, music, travelling, reading, and exercise. "Life doesn't always turn out the thew way you expect. What's been your biggest surprise?" I think I toook my rose colored glasses off at about age 41. People assumed because I came from a fairly affluent family, that I would have life "made." Not so. I've had to work very hard since my divorce for EVERYTHING. And still do. I think the most diffiuclt part of my life since 41 has been having to experience difficult times by myself. I have not had a soft place to land in hard times nor the support of a male figure to put their hand on my shoulder or comfort me when in need. I am a strong woman, yet I would have preferred to share these times with a loving gentleman. "Parent?" Share what you've learned from your kids." Patience, unconditional love, laughter, being a good teacher, and a reason to live. "What teacher would you love to see again?" E.Smith, the most dreaded English teacher at Roosevelt. I recall all of us fearing when we picked up our class assignments...Expand for more