Starting in 1972, my work was connected to children’s picture books, editing, writing, translating, publishing, coordinating exhibits, selling foreign language rights, etc. In 1978-79, I worked in Salzburg, Austria, doing similar things. 1984-88, I served as the vice president of International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). In 1986, IBBY World Congress on Children’s Books was held in Toyko with over 800 participants from different countries around the world. I attended IBBY World Congress in Oslo and Williamsburg, taking part at the IBBY Executive Committee meetings, also in Bologna during the annual spring Children’s Book Fair and Bratislava Biennial of World Children’s Picture Book Original Artwork Exhibition. Thanks to all this, I met incredibly wonderful persons involved with children’s books in different ways and in many countries, some of whom became my good friends. Work and such service was a joy to me as I love children, picture books and people. During this time, I got married, divorced, and had a miscarriage (a boy). Apart from this, I fell in love twice, at age 22 and 52. No happy endings, but unforgettable precious memories which warm my heart still to this day. In 1999, I was hospitalized with acute leukemia. I overcame this in 2002. In 2010, I broke my right hip and thigh bone. Being helped by many persons, I am still alive and can walk, which is a miracle! I am thankful. Good memories and friends, my treasure in life! I smile, feeling “all in all, life is beautiful.” P.S. I am now a “stone-age” person, no fax, no portable telephone, no personal computer, no microwave. I do have a telephone, radio, TV, CD player and a mailbox. It is a pity that I cannot attend the great celebration of our Golden Reunion in April. On this happy occasion, I send everyone who can attend and those who cannot, ALL GOOD WISHES!
My 71st birthday