"Toni"

In September, 1953 I left Nantucket for Stratford, CT, where I began and completed my first year of teaching. The following September 4, 1954 I married James Steele Drummond on Nantucket Island. Jim had just received his discharge from the Air Force about a month before our wedding. His $300 "mustering out" state bonus bought us our first car with $50 to spare. We felt rich!

After a very short honeymoon, we moved to Williamstown, MA. Jim was entering Williams College as a freshman. I began my second year as a fifth grade teacher in the Williamstown Public Schools. My gross salary for that year and our primary source of income was $2,950. We still felt rich! Unknown to us then, Williamstown would become our permanent location and eventually home for our yet-to-be-born five children: Beth, John, Jay, Jill, and Tony, and for our niece Jaime who came to live with us for her final three years in high school and during her college vacations. Jaime, her husband Michael, and their daughter Hannah are included in any of my references to our family.

To avoid a litany of the memorable dates and treasured moments of our family, I'll simply summarize. When the Drummond Clan gets together en masse, we need a restaurant or tables enough to seat 28 bodies. This number includes, in addition to Jim and me, 12 Moms and Dads, and 14 living grandchildren. Our first grandchild Johnny, a very special boy who from birth was profoundly challenged physically and mentally, died at age 15 almost 6 years ago. I keep a white votive candle on hand to light at special family times to reflect his peace and his heartfelt presence in our lives. Yes, we've had other challenging times, but our blessings have been greater. We have led active and productive lives (that "28" above attests to that) while maintaining a sense of caring, a sense of justice for all, and, of course, a sense of humor.

I retired from the Williamstown Public Schools at age 62 in 1994; yet still communicate in the present tense when I say with honor and pride, "I am a teacher." Teaching was more than a career for me. It was an education well beyond what a Bachelor degree and a Masters plus 60-70 credits might signify. I learned more than I taught. I treasure the lasting relationships with my students, my colleagues and the whole school community. As a child advocate, a supportive colleague and mentor, a respected voice at faculty, school committee, or PTA meetings and as an enabler, connecting children and schools with issues we face in our society. I kept busy, active, focused, sometimes stressed and stretched, with no burnout.

I enjoy being a retiree (even the discounts). I'm most grateful for the strength and energy that continues to move me forward emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Our travel plans and some volunteer services have been reduced considerably because of Jim's impaired health. (He took early retirement at 59 for health reasons.) We both keep ourselves involved with family gatherings and with friends. I continue to be available as a Mom and as a nanny named Granny when I can. I enjoy working at the Polls during local and national elections. Recently, I was touched when three former students, now 18+, singled me out to announce proudly that they had exercised their right to vote, my directive to them in fifth grade. Books and Bridge easily deter housework. I try to keep my head and heart in equilibrium. When they skew too far offside, a long, brisk walk around Williamstown or an aerobic three-mile workout at home via a video gets them back in balance. Exercise, particularly walking, is THERAPY of the best kind.

And, you know what? We still feel rich...with family and friends!

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