Chapter 48: Into the Sunset and Happily Ever After

Great Big Beautiful Tomorrows

We would go on to buy two single-family homes after selling the townhouse, and we are now living in our Dream House, pictured at the top of the page.

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After accepting the Dow Jones job offer, I began teaching Sunday school to continue with the ambition to help kids.

I played percussion in church, including drum set at Contemporary services, and on holidays and at special events.

I also have a great time supporting John in his interests, and he’s attended my concert band performances. In 2004, we joined a local Drum & Bugle Corps so we could continue to march and make music, as we had in college.

John’s Information Technology career really took off, with much hard work and an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) Certification. His job placement would ebb and flow with the economy.

He also earned credentials in IT Security, and pursued his CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) in 2012. John continues to build upon his career in Internetwork Engineering, and retired spring of 2026.

John became a Freemason in 1995 and achieved Master of Mt. Zion Lodge #135 in 1999. He also joined the 14th New Jersey Volunteers Civil War Reenactment unit, and returned to Volunteer Firefighting.

John received many awards and recognition as a member of South Brunswick’s Bravest, including Top Responder, and also served as Vice President. For all he is and has achieved over the years, I am extremely proud of him.

I also started and directed a local children’s a cappella choir. For a brief time, I took flight lessons at Princeton Airport, and went skydiving down the shore for my birthday.

I participated in a symphonic band based at Rutgers, and designed freelance Web sites, including one for the Rutgers group (home page screen grab).

Bowling in a league with Dad, my favorite bowler for a few years was also a lot of fun.

In 2017, we gathered on the streets of Manhattan with fellow Mountaineer graduates to witness our beloved Pride lead the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They would appear again in 2024, but leading Santa through Herald Square.

We return to WVU as a part of the 300+ member Alumni Band in the Fall to participate in the Homecoming Parade as well as the game. We also stop at our old haunt, “Wings” where we had our first date.

John and I celebrated our 25th Anniversary at a lovely Aruba boutique resort and spa, and then spent our 30th Anniversary in the Great Smoky Mountains.

My beautiful Dad passed over on September 16, 2015. Though I am joyful that he is again with my Mom, I miss him deeply.  Life here will never be the same, but I know we’ll meet again some day.

I was employed at Dow Jones until 2022, when they suddenly outsourced my department to an independent licensing PR agency. Fortunately, I was able to transfer my HTML skills to the new company, Wright’s Media. Having worked  from home since March of 2020, I continued that arrangement. I flourished as a Graphic Designer, expanding my role in many ways. I also taught myself InDesign and myriad programs in the field.

I was able to contribute to Wright’s Media Marketing Department as a part of the Graphics Team, which I enjoyed. I’ve rustled up a decent portfolio.

In 2023, I earned my Web / UI Design certification from Sessions College for Professional Design. It was a challenging project-based multidisciplinary online series of courses, and I aced every one.

Laid off in June of 2025, I’ve been exploring illustration and taking courses. After all, drawing was my first love—now, I can enjoy developing these skills, and perhaps seek an illustration gig.

I joined the Mercer County Symphonic Band after leaving the Rutgers group. It was good to be on stage again after 4 years.

We celebrated our 35th Anniversary on a Mediterranean cruise, and saw Lisbon, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, Pisa, Rome, and Naples/Amalfi Coast. It was a wonderful experience with my Forever Love.

There have been family challenges as well as healing along the way. Life has not been easy, but there are myriad blessings that cannot be overlooked. Our nieces, Zowie and Myla, are grown and are amazing people.

I will always be thankful for everything and everyone who has been a part of this Drummergirl’s Life. 😎

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