MY THIRD ACT
Note from Editor: Carolyn Rhodes was in the process of writing her “My Third Act” story for this issue when she lost her son unexpectantly. Her dear friend and Seattle writer, Suzanne Beyer sent me this story in her stead. We send Carolyn our deepest condolences.
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“The silence is deafening,” wrote my longtime friend Carolyn’s computer knowledge, however, Carolyn Rhodes, as she faced her first day at home flourished through her son, who was a techie wiz, following the death of her adult son, Casey. The an entrepreneur who owned his own business. Casey retirement she knew now became a line-drive fast taught his mom everything she needed to know, ball piercing her heart. advising her which computer and other devices Looking back, Carolyn discovered a fast-paced to purchase, always looking for the best deals. momentum during retirement after raising Casey’s influence led to Carolyn creating a BY SUZANNE Casey as a single parent. Her husband died technical website where she posted tips for G. BEYER when their son was 11. Carolyn then moved her readers. Each year, Casey and Carolyn the little family from New York City to Connecticut, attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) eventually settling in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She in Las Vegas to keep apprised of the most recent never missed a beat in support of Casey and found advances in the world of tech. The venue provided Tuscaloosa a good place for both her employment a place for Carolyn to interview inventors and a and his schooling. The University of Alabama hired place for Casey to pursue his photography. With Carolyn in an administrative position and soon Casey’s eye for a good photograph and Carolyn’s discovered her writing expertise would benefit the interviewing and writing skills, the two made a university. In retirement, the Culverhouse College great pair for producing articles for their website of Business regularly rehired Carolyn to conduct and in magazines. Her nonfiction articles on many interviews of successful graduates for the school’s subjects, from map-making to museums, landed in alumni magazine. several Alabama publications, and also earned her Retirement not only provided time to pursue awards from her Christian writers’ group. writing, but also to enjoy her love of dance and use Carolyn credits her unusual upbringing to one of her athletic ability. She joined a line dancing group her biggest accomplishments. Her memoir, Library and became an arthritis exercise class instructor Girls of New York was published in 2019. With Casey’s through Osher Lifelong Learning at the University assistance in all things mechanical, like a jammed of Alabama. printer or crashed computer, Carolyn proceeded
3rd Act magazine | spring 2022
www.3rdActMag.com
