It’s now March of 2005. I have a few more entries to this journal of my life.

First and foremost, the children. Eric and Jana had another girl – Sophia born November 24, 2003. Both the girls and the parents are doing very well. I believe they have intentions of continuing their prolific ways. As a member of the Army Reserves, Eric was called to duty and was required to spend three months with the army during the conflict in Iraq – a difficult time for all. He is now working primarily at the Lewis County Hospital in Lowville, while Jana continues with the North Country Children’s Clinic in Watertown. They are good parents and have a strong commitment to each other, so I think their lives and their children’s lives will be happy ones.

Darren passed the NY Bar and worked for about a year with NY Central Mutual Insurance Company while living in Cazenovia. In March 2004, he took a job with Utica National and moved to our upstairs apartment in July to save money for a house. Erica has now finished the Speech Pathology Masters program at SU and is working at a local service provider to gain her certification. They plan to marry September 10, 2005 in New Jersey. I know they have intentions of producing offspring as well. They are also very well matched and I expect they will be excellent parents and partners.

Gloria is continuing to work for Pratt and Hamilton as a nurse and plans to retire next spring. Her mother, at 94, entered a nursing home in June 2004 after a brief illness and was doing well. This winter she had a bout with pneumonia and improved, but then died suddenly on March 16. She provided guidance and stability to Gloria's family for many years. She was the matriarch without question. We owe much to both her and Gloria's father George. They were both generous and supportive without fail.

Once Gloria retires we plan to spend at least three months of each year in a warmer climate – probably Arizona, three months here at Welshbush and six months at White Lake.

I retired on June 1, 2004 as planned. Being in retirement is a wonderful life. After 50 years of working hard, I almost felt guilty at first. That passed quickly. I (with Gloria’s help) have managed to develop an endless list of tasks that need to be done. I have spent the majority of my time making renovations to the properties. I have also taken some time for photography and of course my never-ending preoccupation with the Internet and other modern electronic gadgets. My most recent adventure is completing this document, which I have now done. I firmly expect to be around for many more years to come, enjoying retirement, the lake and the family, but much of what I would say, I have said.

All in all it’s been a good life. I could have used a bit more direction in the early years, but having no direction can be great fun, and learning the hard way has its benefits. The light finally went on at about age 21 or 22 and I don’t think that’s uncommon. I was able to use my aptitudes to earn a good living and was able to provide the necessities and a bit of direction to our children. I consider myself a good husband, a good father and a good provider. Times are changing, but at this point, I think that is what was expected of me. I am proud of what I have accomplished and what I leave to carry on the soul of the Shaw clan.

Wisdom is the ability to understand the question, not knowing the answer.