Class Note 1991

I’m feeling reflective on this rainy April morning as I write another column during the year we all turn 50. It’s fascinating to consider the various ways in which our class is moving into this next decade. There’s so much ahead of us and yet equally as much, if not more, behind us on the road we have already traveled. It’s a good place to pause and look forward to who we can be, back to who we were, and in the mirror at who we are right now, in this moment.

Right now I know that one of our classmates is pregnant. Another was hit by a car this spring. We have friends celebrating the exciting achievements of their growing or grown children, and we know far too many who are dealing with unimaginable losses and daily struggles. Relationships and marriages are in various stages of ups and downs. Several ’91s are battling cancer. Our parents are aging; some are thriving, some need our care and attention, and many have passed away.

Our paths during the nearly 30 years since we have left Dartmouth have taken us to many different places, have connected us with many different people, and have helped us become who we are today. The words of our fellow alum Dr. Theodore Geisel come to mind as I think about the class of 1991: “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”

Even though social media has made it easy to “friend” and “follow” many of you, I know that I only hear from a fraction of the class. I would love to gather more stories and share them in this space. Wherever you are in your life journey, consider sending me a few words and thoughts about how you are marking this milestone.

Thanks for taking the time to read my own midlife thoughts today. As class secretary I typically report the “news,” but today it just seemed right to report the “feels.” In my next column I’ll be back to business as usual and include all of the April 1 updates we received on Facebook on the 91st day of the year. And if you are on Facebook, perhaps you can post a message on 9/1 letting the class know how you are feeling at this complicated, exciting time of your life. Whether it’s bunions, online dating, anxiety, a new project, a great book you read, a pet update, or family life highs and lows, it matters…so please connect.

Finally, just a reminder to think about coming back to Dartmouth in the fall. Our class is having a collective 50th birthday party at Homecoming (October 11-12). Look for details on our Facebook page and an invitation soon.

—Deb Karazin Owens, 166 Colonial Drive, Fairfield, CT 06824; djowens@optonline.net