Camp Pi Phi2008
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.
8 comments:
This is a test comment from me, Lea Anne to see how easy it is to do this. I had really good news today: they installed the new bath tub in my bathroom remodel project so I actually have running water again!! WHOO HOO!!! The kitchen sink has gotten pretty old. I'm hopeing the whole project that includes sinks I can roll under and a shower I can roll in to will be done next week. They tore everything out on July 3rd so it's been a long month.
Thanks for getting the blog up so fast. I look forward to keeping up with everyone. Lea Anne - that's terrific that the water is back on. Once your shower works, life should be much easier!
Shelly - I hope you got your daughter all settled in England. You'll have to fill us in about what she's doing there.
I can't believe rush/recruitment starts at OSU on Monday. Does anyone else besides Melissa have a daughter going through>
Thank you one and all for the great updates about the reunion. It was just unfortunate timing for me as I had to stick it out with my daughter in London until we found her an apartment and the lease was signed. This didn't happen until Monday night. I certainly hope we can have a repeat very soon. It sounded like everything went perfectly and that all the special touches made it that much more fun. Glad you were able to make it all happen. Hope to see you all soon. Shelley Galloway
Sorry to add on so soon, but hadn't read Parks' comment yet. Ashley, 26, worked in NYC for Teen Vogue magazine. She is now getting a Masters in Art Business at Sotheby's Institute of Art. James (J.B.), 24, has had a fabulous year in Bhutan - UNDP intern, teacher, radio dj,etc. He is going to India as a Fellow of AIF and working in Craft Initiatives. Peter, 22, is a super senior, trying to finish Clemson by December. All three travelled on Semester at Sea which caused all this interest in world travel. Life should be so good! I just try to keep up! Shelley
Thanks, Shelley. I love hearing what your kids are doing. It will be interesting to learn what Ashley does with her Masters in Art Business. A gallery, perhaps? In my family, Annell is 24 and works in Tulsa as an account rep for a graphic design/branding studio. She graduated from OU where she was a Delta Gamma. Edward is 21 and will be a senior this year at OSU, majoring in finance. (He's a Sigma Nu.) He loves Chicago, so it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up there.
Shelly - I'm SO excited that your son is in India with an exchange. I spent time there in the 80's helping to revamp their television news industry. What a fascinating county and SO much has happened in the past two decades. I encourage all young professionals to go there and realize the amazing possibilities. Thanks for writing to the blog...I'm really hoping we can all keep up with each other here.
What a great time we all had and only hope that the next time we all get together there will be even more of us. I keep playing it all in my mind and am amazed that on a random August afternoon in 1970 we all ended up 30 years later together and laughing and reliving those great days. What an experience. My question is...did Melissa's daughter pledge? Where ever I only hope she was happy. I am doing the grandmother deal in Texas right now and will meet Eric in Dallas this weekend with the kids for a hunting show. And then on home for a wedding packed September. Peggy, that is the one that I am working on with Joyce. Take care everyone and I hope this continues. I love all the news. Love, Barb
Natalea Ann,
This looks great. hard to believe it has been 4 months since our reunion. I am sorry to hear of Parks challenges. Lynn and I have had fun with her daughter in the Pi Phi House. Will write more later.
JB
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