As a first year preschool teacher Anita wrote the poem "JUST playing" in 1974. Her preschool, Children's World (later renamed Gateways to Learning) in Edmond, Oklahoma, served over 3,000 three, four and five year olds from 1974 - 1999. Today this poem is still used to motivate teachers and parents to value the role of play in a child's life. Looking forward to retirement in 2019, Anita hopes to have more time for writing, speaking and time with her four children, two step-daughters and 8 grandchildren.