Trying to encapsulate 50 years into 300 words is a challenge. After graduating from OHS, I remained in the Greater Lansing area. I attended Lansing Community College and earned an associate in business management degree. I was employed at the Ingham County Medical Care Facility for 23 years as the director of community relations.

I married Robert Thorburn in 1970, and we have been together for 42 years. He is retired from Grand Ledge Public Schools where he taught for 33 years. We have one son, Matthew, who lives in New York with his wife. Matt works for a large law firm in Manhattan. He is a published poet (three books) and was recognized by the U.S. Poet Laureate and asked to read his work at the Library of Congress. As yet, we have no grandchildren. However, we do have a spoiled Golden Retriever.

While working at the Ingham County Medical Care Facility, I started my own gift basket business. I successfully ran Basket Creations for ten years and eventually sold the business when I decided to retire in 1991. My retirement didn't last long. Two years later, I started a day care business. When my husband retired, he helped run the business. This was the most fun and rewarding experience to date. We now have more than twenty "surrogate grandchildren" who visit regularly. Our love for travel made us decide to retire one final time in 2005. This time we really did retire.

We go to New York regularly to visit our son and daughter-in-law. This gives unique opportunities for shopping, sight seeing and Broadway shows. As much as we love New York City, we are always glad to get back to Michigan. We have enjoyed numerous cruises as well as travels to Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, St. Lucia, Grand Cayman and Italy. We look forward to our next adventure wherever that might be. Maybe an African safari is in our future, who knows?