Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Here's an exciting update from the July 25-27 Reunion:
You can watch the pics I have in a slide show!

OSU Pi Phi's 1970

Camp Pi Phi
2008
On July 25, members of the Oklahoma Beta pledge class of 1970 met at Post Oak Lodge near Tulsa for a weekend retreat for the first time since a reunion in 1983.

Lea Anne's first entry: July 30, 2008



What a wonderful time we had! First of all, the Post Oak Lodge could not have been a more perfect spot for the event. We had our very own lodge with private "hotel" rooms surrounding a Great Room. Nine OSU Pi Phi's moved in and two others dropped in so we had the perfect sized group to get re-acquainted.


Friday night, after a barbeque dinner, we talked and talked....38 years gave us a lot of catching up to do. We just went around the circle and to a woman were amazed at the incredible human beings our sisters have become.....so accomplished and strong and funny and resiliant. Life leaves none of us untouched.


I must confess, I went overboard in making angels and signs and cards and gift bags for the event. It felt a little like rush all over again (complete with singing and clapping each new arrival into the room) But everyone else went overboard as well. Next time we'll plan a little better and do a dirty santa gift instead of 12 of everything. But all the presents did make it feel pretty special and we deserved it!


I feel so fortunate to be around to help pull the event together. I was paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident in 2000. Here's the Pi Phi connection: a pledge sister's son was one of the students who held a tarp over me until the ambulance came. Another sister met the ambulance. Another one stayed at the hospital the whole time I was in intensive care and yet another brought pillows to the hopital crew and started an "Angel Hotline" to summon support during my ordeal. Other sisters "kidnapped" me from rehab to go to lunch. All in all, the Pi Phi connection helped put me on the road back to life and I was thrilled to get a chance to say "thanks!"


Besides talking, we spent the weekend eating (and eating and eating). We did some swimming and some tie dyeing and generally had a wonderful time!


Many have had daughters in the house. (It's just not the same...We're SOOO lucky we were there when we were) Several of us have parents who are failing or already gone. Nearly all have grandchildren and think it's the best thing ever!!! A few have been married 35 plus years. Some of us...not so long.


Everyone has done AMAZING things that include travel all around the world. Just listening was great!


I live on a horse ranch (Quarter Horses for cutting, sorting roping, etc) just west of Stillwater and do volunteer marketing for non-profits. I have a step-daughter and son and three granddaughters aged 11, 4 and 2. Although I'm on disability retirement, I still do occasional projects at the University and spend ALOT of time on the computer.