JUDY ALPHSON (Lau) Nelson

In 1961, I don’t think I thought ahead more than 5 minutes, much less 50 years. Who could ever have predicted where we all are one half century later?! Certainly I assumed I would go to college and law school because that’s what you did in my family but I could never have forecast the twists and turns along the way. I did finish UND, married and moved to Richmond, Virginia where I graduated with a Master’s in Social Work.

In addition to a new baby, I had several jobs and internships before and after grad school including County Social Services in Grand Forks, and in Richmond--a children’s psychiatric clinic, the public health department, and the Governor’s Commission on Children and Youth. On to Kansas and then the University of Kansas Law School where I also taught in the School of Social Work.

In Kansas I met and married Jim Nelson, a neurosurgeon and psychiatrist who now works for the University of California at Irvine training resdients. He specializes in bipolar disorder and PTSD. Every minute we’re together is joyful and I'm so lucky to share his delightful 3 grown children, 8 grandchildren and 1 ½ great grandchildren.

My nomading years ended with a move to southern California in 1980 near my oldest brother, Howard. For the next 3 decades I was the CEO of three nonprofits: Children’s Bureau of Southern California; Orangewood Children’s Foundation and Hollygrove Children and Family Services--a residential treatment center for abused children (it was created in 1880 as an orphanage in Hollywood and where Marilyn Monroe resided in the 1930’s.)

Working in Hollywood for nearly 30 years was quite a learning experience a little girl from the prairie! In Grand Forks, the only “celebrity” I knew was Peggy Lee’s brother who ran Deaconess Hospital. In Hollywood, people from the entertainment industry were a regular part of our lives—as Board members, volunteers and donors. At Hollygrove, just a block from Paramount Studios we got to meet and know many celebs—most of whom were delightful and cared a lot about the children. Not all of the job was exciting, however. Constantly asking for money, dealing with bureaucracies and regulations plus managing 250 staff took its toll—as did a daily 3+ hour commute on L.A. freeways. In 2006, it was that last one that made me decide to “retire” and become a certified professional coach and trainer. Now I’m working at home more than fulltime, loving every minute of it—and with only a 3+ minute commute!

The most exciting part of life is our travel. For over 20 years we have been giving joint presentations one or twice a year to an international medical conference on Creativity in Russia, Australia, South American, Europe, Africa and Scandinavia. Subjects have included Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, Salvador Dali, Pearl Buck, and Mark Twain. In recent years we’ve become speakers on cruise ships. In April we sailed around the Norwegian fjords, talking about our Scandinavian heritage.

We aren't sure what's next but whatever it is, we will have fun. I treasure every day.

Like anyone who had the privilege of singing under the direction and TLC of Dwight Sherwood, the choral experiences stand out the most. We learned so much about doing our best and of what it takes to be a successful team member. The excitement of being in Choraliers and on stage for the operettas (even in the back row of the chorus) for Showboat, South Pacific and Oklahoma is unforgettable.

The recent 65th birthday reunion at Bemidji of our potluck was great fun and stirred up many memories and rekindled priceless old friendships.

P.S. Thanks to Lance Twedt for doing so much work! Hopefully will make it to the reunion in September.

Judy@CoachJudyNelson.com