magpie07
My husband Tom and I have retired and relocated to our beloved and tranquil, one stoplight town of Sunset Beach, NC. Tom and I, who first met at summer camp when he was 13 and I was 12, celebrate an unexpected reunion that happened in October of 2013. We were married December 24, 2007. We still hold hands and are deeply in love. Tom retired from a long career in public broadcasting. I had directed and lobbied for policy, funding and accountability as a deputy state superintendent of education.
My first husband, a supposedly healthy graduate of the USNA (Annapolis) passed away in our living room when our daughters were age 12 (Lizzy) and 9 (Kate).
Eight years later Tom not only courted me, but also Kate and Lizzy. He’s a wonderful dad.
Our other family member, Maggie the 80 pound Labradoodle, was a wedding gift Tom and I gave our new family. Maggie’s 10 now, but still behaves like a delightful puppy.
While Lizzy and Kate are both highly accomplished, I’m most grateful for their kind, compassionate and loving souls. After earning a master’s in vocal performance and singing various roles in the US and Euro, Kate is now completing a pedagogy masters at the Westminster Choir College. She hopes to land a day job teaching voice at the college level and performing when possible. Among other venues, my shy and humble Kate has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Lizzy, who’s thrived living in NYC for most of the past decade, earned a masters in creative writing and has been published, as well as named one of the best contemporary poets in America. She had begun her doctoral studies at Columbia University when she began experiencing headaches, dizziness and confusion. After many long hospital stays during which physicians struggled to keep her alive and advised me to prepare for the worst, Lizzy was diagnosed with chronic autoimmune induced encephalopathy. The medical prognosis is poor. Our family must rely on Lizzy’s healthcare team, but believe there’s more to health than medical knowledge. She now lives with us in Sunset Beach and requires around the clock care. Although Lizzy’s situation is difficult, I’m learning to enjoy every possible moment.
I hope to get to know you as individuals. I’m usually not so forthcoming about my family, but am attempting to provide context. I’ll close by saying that our family’s financial resources have been completely depleted by costs associated with Lizzy’s illness. Contesting is one of the few activities with potential to help our family that I can do from my home while caregiving Lizzy. I wish you all good luck!
My first husband, a supposedly healthy graduate of the USNA (Annapolis) passed away in our living room when our daughters were age 12 (Lizzy) and 9 (Kate).
Eight years later Tom not only courted me, but also Kate and Lizzy. He’s a wonderful dad.
Our other family member, Maggie the 80 pound Labradoodle, was a wedding gift Tom and I gave our new family. Maggie’s 10 now, but still behaves like a delightful puppy.
While Lizzy and Kate are both highly accomplished, I’m most grateful for their kind, compassionate and loving souls. After earning a master’s in vocal performance and singing various roles in the US and Euro, Kate is now completing a pedagogy masters at the Westminster Choir College. She hopes to land a day job teaching voice at the college level and performing when possible. Among other venues, my shy and humble Kate has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Lizzy, who’s thrived living in NYC for most of the past decade, earned a masters in creative writing and has been published, as well as named one of the best contemporary poets in America. She had begun her doctoral studies at Columbia University when she began experiencing headaches, dizziness and confusion. After many long hospital stays during which physicians struggled to keep her alive and advised me to prepare for the worst, Lizzy was diagnosed with chronic autoimmune induced encephalopathy. The medical prognosis is poor. Our family must rely on Lizzy’s healthcare team, but believe there’s more to health than medical knowledge. She now lives with us in Sunset Beach and requires around the clock care. Although Lizzy’s situation is difficult, I’m learning to enjoy every possible moment.
I hope to get to know you as individuals. I’m usually not so forthcoming about my family, but am attempting to provide context. I’ll close by saying that our family’s financial resources have been completely depleted by costs associated with Lizzy’s illness. Contesting is one of the few activities with potential to help our family that I can do from my home while caregiving Lizzy. I wish you all good luck!
