I have been getting some emails, and had at least considered travelling to Canberra, but time and money tell against best intentions.

So, what have I been doing? You will know I didn’t finish high school at Watson, moving to Canada in 1967 when my Dad took a job at the University of Alberta. In 1972, he and my Mum and two brothers moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, but I stayed behind. I had met Virginia Lemieux, and we were married in 1974.

From 1974 to 1976 we lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I completed graduate studies in English. The academic job market in  those days was so poor that we returned to Edmonton, where I went to Law School, initially just to get a job, but then actually getting interested in practising law. I did so for 25 years with the same firm of about 30 lawyers, spending my last few years with them as their Managing Partner. I used to joke that the position was “honorary,” as they were such an interesting, but ungovernable bunch.

In 2006, I joined the Law Society of Alberta (which regulates the legal profession in this province) as Counsel, and this year, became the Director of Policy and a member of the Executive Committee. I attach a photo of me relaxing in my office. (I know this is obligatory, so we can compare the ravages of time….)

Virginia and I have two daughters. Emily, who lives in Graz, Austria, has presented us with a grandson, Lukas, a well-travelled 10 month old, who has visited us here, and we have travelled twice to Europe to see him. (Which may explain why we don’t have the time and money to travel to Canberra!) Our other daughter, Jane, is in Montreal, attending McGill, and will graduate with a degree in Cultural Studies at year-end, and then face the same vocational dilemma as her Dad.

Virginia and I love travelling, and have visited over 30 countries, most notably spending a month in Tibet in 2001. I have kept up my interest in  English, and have published a couple of books of poetry, both of which are widely unavailable!

When I look at the class photos, I do recognize a dozen or so people, and would have loved to have joined you all next week in person–but a special hi to my particular buddies, Kim Rennick and Phil Henry. I am sad to note that Nick Richardson has gone.

But have a great time…I’ll be thinking of you all, and those days, and how long ago it all was, but the memories still so clear.

Yours,

Michael.