My childhood was a lovely experience. While my older sister was being afforded the "advantages" of music, ballet and elocution, I was more fortunate. My parents "turned me loose" in a big fenced back yard filled with childish wonders — horned toads, birds, flowers and vegetables to grow in a small plot.

I began First Grade in January 1931 at John Henry Brown School. I was an attentive student and took the teachers' words as "gospel." (Like WWI was the war to end all wars!)

Having learned the 3 Rs in grade school, I used those tools to acquire knowledge of science, mathematics, history, and literature in high school. My devoted Latin teacher used her planning period to teach 3rd and 4th year Latin to a single student, me! My biology teacher recognized and encouraged my curiosity about the living world around us, and my English teacher at Forest High School (now James Madison) was so prized by the school district that Edna Rowe Grade School was named in her honor.

Pre-Med studies at SMU were handsomely furnished by the scholarships awarded me. With major studies in biology and chemistry, I made a great decision. I wanted to become a physician.

There were gender and religion quotas for admission to medical schools in those days (the early '40s). I was the last student on the SMU campus to receive my letter of admission to Baylor University School of Medicine that spring. Administrative complications developed, and Baylor Medical School moved to Houston. The Dallas-based Southwestern Medical Foundation funded and encouraged the establishment of Southwestern Medical School. Classes began in summer 1945 in unoccupied high school lunch rooms. Later classes progressed to pre-fabricated wooden army barracks buildings. And the clinical experiences were taught in the "old" Parkland Hospital on Oak Lawn and Maple Streets. And, interestingly, most of the Baylor medical professors chose to remain in Dallas as the faculty nucleus for the new medical school. The time I spent at the Southwestern Medical School involved war years. Men drafted into the armed services ASTP (Army) and VIZ (Navy) were furnished (at government expense) uniforms, books and supplies. The women endured gender harassment and financial burdens, but we made it!

Internship and Residencies were served in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and then yours truly (a qualified physician) returned to Dallas. I shared office space in a building along with an internist, a surgeon, and a dentist. (Sometimes they covered for each other.) Most of my practice was in obstetrics and well babies.

A few years into my medical practice I was introduced to a Dallas Symphony Orchestra violinist. It was "love at first sight" and lasted more than half a century. My "doctoring" continued while we started a family and bought our first home. As the family grew, the medical practice dwindled. (Incidentally, doctors' office calls were $3/visit, and those emergency house calls were $5!)

Living in the White Rock area, my family witnessed the building of Hexter and Conner Elementary Schools and Bryan Adams High School — followed by establishment of Skyline High School and Career Development Center.

With closing of my medical office I served ten years in caring for and teaching at Angels, Inc. School for Retarded. Next came another 16 years teaching anatomy and physiology at Skyline and at High School for Health Professions. (I also taught classes in Latin and history.) I retired in 1990 but started teaching medical terminology at Eastfield Community College in the Continuing Education Program (I designed the course). After three years I was "promoted" to teach the "credit course" on the same subject.

When my ailing husband's health needs became greater, Henry and I chose to move to 12 Oaks East, where we enjoy the help and companionship. The varied activities offer "something for almost everyone," and Henry and I have attempted to add a bit to the social and cultural atmosphere.

Meanwhile I continue on the science faculty at Eastfield Community College and enjoy the feedback concerning successes of our present generation being trained for their scientific professions in the near future.