Then.......and Now
Mary Ellen Moore Shields

	Mary Ellen Moore Shields

I am so sorry that I cannot make the reunion, though I would really love to be there. I am going to a wedding I cannot and do not want to miss--the bride is the daughter of dear friends, and I have known her since she was a wee little girl. I missed our 30th too as I was caring for my mother who passed away in '95. Yikes, when am I ever going to see you guys?! Anyway, I'm sorry it's taken me so long, but I thought I'd send a little bit about myself. Also, I've attached photos of myself, my husband, and my girls--sorry it's not all in one picture, but I just couldn't find one. I'm afraid my pictures are not as organized as I'd like them to be.

I've been living in the beautiful Northwest for the past 27 years in a lovely town by the name of Bellingham, Washington. It is nestled between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. My husband of over 25 years and myself live out in the country in an old farmhouse on 10 acres. We have three daughters who are now grown, but who, along with their friends, filled this old house with lots of laughter over the years. Our girls are now 24, 22 and 20 years old, but they still come home quite often and are still bringing their friends--we take this as a good sign. The oldest, Shawn, graduated from The Evergreen State College in Environmental Studies and now works at the American Alpine Institute; she climbs mountains and writes books. The middle child, Jessy, is studying architecture at the U. of Oregon and has an interest in sustainable design; she is currently home for a few months doing a thesis project on migrant housing, and will then finish her studios in Portland, OR. The youngest, Emma, is a junior at University of San Francisco studying nursing. We feel very fortunate to have such close relationships with all of them. None are married, all have boyfriends, but I reckon I'll be rickety before any of them decides to offer up some grandkids.

As to work, I am a pediatrician. I have spent most of my career in community medicine and currently work at an Indian Health Clinic. Over the years I have been active in the community with public health, child welfare, and nonprofit work. I did forensic child abuse work for 12 years, worked at a community health center for 10 years, consulted in a progressive public school district which has a birth to five program on campus for five years, and have now been on the reservation for five years. This is a far cry from my initial hospital work as a peds pulmonologist, but, as you all know, life happens--kids and hospital work 24/7 do not mix well. I am pleased to say I love my work and in all its twists and turns, it has been challenging, interesting, and rewarding. My husband is an obstetrician/gynecologist and, yes, we met over a newborn during our residencies in Los Angeles. Our most recent challenge has been trying to figure out how we can carve out more time to be together to play--we're making progress, but it's slow.

I wish I could reconnect with so many of you from high school. I have such fond memories of that time of my life, but I am well aware that I was pretty clueless about just about everything then. I miss the desert and the terrific Mexican food and old friends with whom I would love to reconnect. Maybe for the 50th.....

Hope you all have a wonderful time.

Mary Ellen