| Mary F. McCann (2014) Greetings to the class of ‘64. It is amazing to have reached the age of 71 and to be enjoying life possibly more than at 21 - fewer teeth but more contentment ...?
Since I left beautiful Gilmorehill, I've worked paid and unpaid in a variety of fields from physics research and teaching to poetry, illustration, voluntary arts, and caring. Currently I am on a pension with a (very) part-time and highly satisfying job tutoring adults in traditional singing with ALP Scots Music Group in Edinburgh. I'm still in a writing group, I belong to two choirs and a co-counselling network, I like friends, books, gardens and walking. I am lucky to have good brothers and a good sister, and their families.
In spite of the distance I have travelled since I left the Department of Natural Philosophy I have never forgotten Professor Dee's advice –‘if you want to understand Paper 3 problems, don't sit over your books, go and throw stones in Loch Lomond and watch the ripples' … yes! I still love seeing physics in nature and collect examples (e.g. rings round the sun seen through a birch tree in winter) - does anyone else? .. let's talk.
In nine years since our last reunion I've been doing much the same as above – though I notice I'm slowing down. I recently got involved with some informal training for community song leaders and hope to do more. On my to-do list are tidying up my cluttered flat, producing a poetry collection and visiting all my far flung friends and relations.
And since 2002 I've met up several times with the women from our year who live in Scotland: we've met in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and most recently, Kingussie – very enjoyable.
Many thanks and appreciations to all my past teachers and fellow students - and to Hilary, Frank, Ian and Anne who have organised this reunion.
Update 10/07/2024 :- The events that stand out in my memory since 2014 are:
Going to Tommy Whitelaw's afternoon tea party in Troon - a lovely occasion.
Visiting Morag in Kingussie with Hilary and Rosalind on a golden afternoon and having an outing to a beautiful lochside cafe, a few weeks before she died.
Attending Ron Drever's funeral with Hilary, and hearing what an amazingly wonderful ingenious person he was, and meeting his brother and family.
On a personal level, surviving a fall and hip fracture just before lockdown, getting excellent treatment from the NHS, getting through lockdown with phone calls, walks, doing more songwriting, singing on Zoom on my landline.
Having a wonderful huge family gathering for my 80th birthday, continuing to volunteer with the Scots Music Group and sing at every opportunity, being inducted into the Scots Trad Music Hall of Fame for services to the community in 2023.
Surviving a small cancer scare this year. Slowing down but still enjoying life!
Best wishes to all and hope to see some of you on 12 July.
Mary McCann
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