Jamison "Jamie"LAW

Jamison Law Ruggles

Jamie's 2021 Autobiography

So how do you summarize 50 years of accomplishments, challenges (or perhaps better said ‘opportunities’), wish-I-had-done, wish-I-hadn’t done, aha moments, and just plain livin’? In a word: nostalgically.

There was a recurring theme in the comments in my yearbook: quiet and shy! And indeed I was, for whatever reason. Somewhere along the way, though, I came out of my shell. In fact, if you asked my friends post-college, they would tell you that I bear little resemblance to that shy little blonde ‘pixie’. Probably just a matter of growing up a bit later and getting comfortable with myself.

I started off at Syracuse – big mistake! Wrong school, wrong program, wrong time. Swallowed my pride and transferred to UConn where I had four of the most wonderful years of my life. Made lasting friends, got a great education, learned to play bridge (too much bridge, actually), survived the great northeast blackout, and suffered through too many assassinations and the beginnings of a country torn apart by Vietnam. I lost two good friends there.

Came out with a degree in music education and, following a brief stint working for the University at the Stamford Branch, began a 30-year career teaching piano and music. I knew it was what I was meant to do, and so I did it – in a lot of different locations. You see, I married my college sweetheart who was prone to being transferred throughout his career and job changes. I put my foot down after I realized that we had moved 11 times in 14 years and had wallpapered 85 rooms! Kids were in the picture and we needed roots, so we finally settled in Illinois. After 30 years here, I’m practically a flatlander.

Sadly, after 26 years of marriage, we parted ways, and I’ve been on my own – happily – ever since. However, my music studio was not going to pay the mortgage or put kids through college, so I entered the corporate world as an administrative assistant (only thing I could find at age 46) and parlayed that into working for three CEOs at Fortune 500 companies over the next 22 years. (In case you’re doing the math, I continued teaching for the first 9 years while working full-time until I realized I couldn’t keep up the hectic pace – besides, the kids weren’t looking quite as cute or eager to me by then).

Along the way I honed my writing (another passion) and presentation skills and went through training to become a leadership facilitator for United Stationers. I loved doing that – it put me back in front of a classroom where I got to tell the top execs in the company how to become effective leaders to create a high performance organization. It was pretty darned empowering, I’ll tell you!

Now I’m getting ready to retire from the corporate world…at the end of July…and I’m anxious and excited to see what new opportunities will come my way. I will not be a “quiet and shy” retiree. I’ve got too many things to do and places to see. Just need to figure out how to finance all of it.

Oh, did I mention my kids? (Thus far, this has been all about me, right?) Well, they are my greatest accomplishment and the biggest source of joy in my life. Wes and his wife live in a town nearby. She’s a middle school social studies teacher and he is an entrepreneur, running his own company “Medium Rare” which is all manner of media, marketing, web design, and communications. They’re both history buffs and have traveled extensively. No children but two ‘grand puppies’ I adore.

Kellie and her husband live in Michigan with two of the most adorable little boys you’ll ever set eyes on: Kaden (4) and Taylor (1). And baby #3 almost kept me from attending the reunion, since he/she (we don’t know which) is due in mid June. However, since she’s having a c-section (and thus a planned birthdate), we’ve been able to work it out so I can give her a week of my time, then attend the reunion. So if I’m looking a little glassy-eyed, you’ll understand why since the boys are my ‘charges’ for the week!

So…perhaps this is more than you ever wanted to know about the ‘quiet and shy pixie’ from the Class of ’61. In closing, I’ll say that the 40^th reunion was one of the best times I ever had. No barriers, attaching labels, forming cliques, or trying to impress one another. Just a group of people with similar backgrounds and values who appreciated the simpler times and one another. I have no doubt that the 50^th will be ever sweeter.

Jamie’s Update (2021)

I am now fully retired, having given up my part-time job a year ago. With all this 'free time,' members of my church thought it a good idea to appoint me Project Manager for the remodel and rebuild of our church. And what a year it has been! Dealing with architects, contractors, utilities, municipalities, and engineers was pretty much a breeze. The real challenge was dealing with the members! But we got through it, the new church is beautiful and... unfortunately...empty thanks to Covid. I'm proud of completing this project on time and on budget. And hopefully we will be holding services in the building before too long. I have a cute pink hardhat as a souvenir.

Other than that, the last ten years have been filled with volunteer work, travel, keeping up with grandkids, some freelance writing and lots of outdoor activities. Covid cannot keep me from hiking, biking and walking my dog! Although a flatlander in Chicagoland for many years, I get to Lake Michigan often and pretend that the water is salty. Sadly, we've dealt with massive erosion the past few years, so the beaches are getting smaller and smaller. I love all that Chicago has to offer from sports to museums to cultural events. I'm an active member of the Chicago Architecture Center and an avid hiker with a ladies-only hiking group.

My son and his wife just moved to Durango, CO and my daughter's family (three grandkids) live in Birmingham, MI. I'm beginning to wonder if I should stay here...or not. It's hard without any family nearby but I have great friends here. So any displacement is some ways off. Still, I do miss the East Coast and Westport in particular and love hearing from friends still living there. If there is another in-person reunion, I will be there (the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise).

Stay safe and healthy, friends!