Andrea J. LeeAndrea J. Lee
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Nov 2, 07 06:20 PM | Posted by Andrea

I don't know about you, but I usually don't plan very far ahead. I mean, I visualize and meditate on the very far-off future. But I don't plan. Too much 'life' can happen between now and 20 years from now, right?

It's interesting what a 20-year High School reunion did to change my perspective. For the first time, I'm able to look back at a chunk of time and say 'that's what 20 years is like' and actually semi-understand it.
I guess it isn't surprising that stepping out of High School, nobody asks "What Shall I Do With the Next 20 Years?" No one decides to live a rich and rewarding life so as to have good stories to tell at their reunion.

In the variety of life stories I did hear, I think that was evident. A couple of my classmates even said the words, "It's amazing but I feel like I really haven't done much in 20 years." "How weird that it took me 20 years to do what I just told you in 2 minutes." "I guess life can go by and you don't realize it..."

Thankfully, stepping out of the High School Reunion, I felt quite different. All of a sudden I realized, "What Shall I Do With the Next 20 Years?" is just as good a question for now as before! If I missed asking it then, I don't have to miss asking it now. The next time I see ANY of these lovely ladies, we'll all be eligible for discounted senior citizen fares for the bus. What stories will we have to catch up on then? Nothing much exciting? Something extraordinary? If something in between, will we be done telling it in 2 minutes?

And wow, you know, we only really get 4 or maybe 5 units of 20 years, each --

I never used to believe people when they said time moves faster as you get older, but now I do. 20 years from now I'm planning to have some GREAT stories to tell.

What would you like to have done in the next 5, 10, 20 years? How much good will you do with your one life in just the next 12 months?

P.S. Yes, that's my grad class photo. Can you find me? (Click the thumbnail photo to enlarge.) Even some of my non-High School closest friends couldn't pick me out, they all thought I was Ferida Yang. Hint: After telling Suzanne Falter-Barns which one is me - she said...

"Wow Andrea, what IS that, a Chinese afro?"

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Comments

Andrea,

I picked your smile out (hope I'm right) immediately. You're the one sitting on the end (right) of the second row with the yellow flower (and yes, weird hair.)

Donna

Posted by: donna at November 11, 2007 10:46 AM

Aside from the hair, you really do look the same! Hope that doesn't disappoint you, but you are easy tp find. I agree with Donna - and it wasn't the yellow flower that gave it away - It really is the face/ smile.

Marion

Posted by: Marion Franklin at December 5, 2007 2:39 PM

Andrea, I didn't know white dresses were so popular in '87! You look great A!

Posted by: Sandra at December 5, 2007 8:48 PM

You are the lovely ingenue second row back on the
right (from my perspective), yellow flower and Chinese
Afro (that did help!) I love the question and am
struck by how excited I am about these next 20 y ears
even though I will be older than I ever thought
possible (gulp). I feel as though I get younger as I
get older - perhaps enencumbered and more like the
spunky, precocious, super active kid I was having fun,
staying out till my mom called me in or until my lips
turne blue in the ocean (and even then..) Following
is a list of some of the things that I would like to
talk about at a reunion 20 years from now:
how I found the career that made my heart sing an
coached countless people to follow their dreams and
live lifes of purpose and joy; became a successful
business woman creating financial freedom to follow my
dreams; had art exhibitions and continues to grow and
evolve as an artist and painter; became a good fiddler
who delighted in playing in jazz clubs around the
world and jamming with wonderful musicians at
celtic/folk and bluegrass festivals; met the love of
my life and co-created a relationship that really
worked on all levels for both of us; held my
grandchildren and felt that life just couldn't get any
better; enjoyed a close and loving relationship with
my daughter and with everyone in my family more and
more as the years go by;; traveled to mind blowing and
beautiful places; wrote books that not only graced
great book shelves but were kindled all over the world
and were even quoted from time to time; got better and
better at being grateful and happy and generous and
loving so that I spend most of my time with an
overflowing heart... and the beat goes on etc... et
alia

Thanks for asking.

Posted by: Anne Nayer at December 6, 2007 12:57 PM



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