May 2011

First Name    Kay
Last Name    Plitt
Maiden Name    Hester
Spouse s Name    Bill
Address    5621 N. 9th Road
City    Arlington
State    VA
Zip Code     22205
Hm Phone     703-524-5657
Fax     
Business Ph      
Web Site URL   
Email    kayplitt@comcast,net

I DO authorize sharing all of this information on the Class of 1961
Web Site.

Q1 What are some of your positive and some of your negative experiences with modern technology?

Let's see:  I do not tweet or twitter or blueberry or blackberry (or
whatever it's called).  I do occasionally send out a raspberry or two
but....  I love email because my handwriting is so bad, but I really hate viruses that can shut me down on occasion.  I love to Skype with the grandkids when it works; I hate to Skype with the grandkids when it doesn't. My cell phone is often dead because I forget to re-charge my battery; but then, the same can be said for me.

I don't know if almost being run over about five times by drivers who are talking on their cell phones about really important things while turning corners or pulling out of parking spaces counts, but I'll add that just in case it does.  I can only imagine the conversation:  "Hi, honey.  Just leaving the mall - oooppps - almost hit a pedestrian.  Do we need milk?"

Oh, and about that contract I deleted and couldn't find again....

Q2 What are some of your most memorable experiences?

I am so happy to say that I've been fortunate enough to experience the
unfiltered love from three beautiful grandchildren (especially when Bill and I thought we wouldn't have any).  Two handsome boys and one beautiful baby girl have graced our lives with laughter, warm hugs, smiles and tears. Their presence in our lives brings back the wonderful feelings that our own two sons shared with us (and still do in so many ways).  Nothing else compares or even comes close.

Q3 What fun activities/hobbies, etc. do you participate in?

I don't have hobbies so much as I have part-time unpaid jobs (plus a
part-time paid job).  Both satisfying and time-intensive is work with a small group of volunteers (including my husband) who traveled to
Israel/Palestine and came back 'changed' by the experience.  Fortune was on their side as they met a wonderful Palestinian Christian farmer who has a 100-acre farm in the West Bank, Area C, who established a peace project called Tent of Nations on his land.  We are a group (Friends of Tent of Nations North America - FOTONNA) that includes the Palestinian Christian peacemaker/farmer, an American/Palestinian Jew, an American/Palestinian Arab Muslim, a Presbyterian, a Quaker, an Episcopalian and me (not sure where I fit in, but...).  Non-violence is the means to an end to the violence taking place on both sides on a daily basis.  Is it fun?  Only when we remember to laugh in the face of pain.  Is it worth the effort?  Absolutely!

Q4 What are some of the major changes in your life?

I have to go back to the addition of grandkids to our lives.  Although they are located on both sides of the continent (NY and LA), we still find ourselves making plans around their busy schedules rather than our own. And, this is OK.

Over the last few years, we have also lost Bill's mother, aunt, younger brother and two uncles.  We are more and more aware of twists of fate, and we try to appreciate what we have every day.

I looked at the list of those from our class who are no longer with us, and it makes me feel so very lucky to be where I am today and can't worry about where I will be tomorrow.  I have fond memories of so many of them.

Personal narrative 2011:

The number of women and men I meet who have blossomed after retirement is amazing (our generation).  We spent so much time taking care of others through marriage, parenthood, work and volunteering that we didn't always have the opportunity to tap into our own creativity.  At the age of 65, something kicks in; all the music, painting, creative writing, weaving, knitting, crocheting, woodworking, photography -
whatever - finally finds an outlet.  We discover that all of our life
experiences have given us something to build on.  I have written songs that reflect my life (called story songs) and a couple of stories that do the same.  Do they mean anything to anyone else?  It doesn't matter.  The important thing is that I found a way to do these things and did them quite well, I might add.

I am also pleased to see that our children have been given gifts of
creativity that they are using today - don't need to wait until they get old and forgetful to pursue their dreams.  Todd is a marvelous photographer and Jeff is finally getting a big break with his acting (has taken both of them awhile, but the past is what has made today possible).

I hope that all of those from the Class of '61 have been living lives of creative energy!!