Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Western Union--for Me?

It was a warm day the May 26th, and I was nervous.  This was a special day, a milestone in my life.  I had on my blue gown and cap, with the gold sash, standing in line waiting for the music to begin, when a man in a black uniform came rushing up to me.  He called my name, and then said "Telegram".  Hesitantly, I took it, sure that my perfect day was about to be ruined.  What terrible thing had happened that required a telegram.  My folks were in the grandstands, all my brothers and sisters were here.  I was confused.  Slowly, I opened the envelope and read the message--a message of congratulations from my Aunt and Uncle in California.  My dread turned to joy.  I was special.  I was the only one graduating that day who got a telegram. Although it is over 50 years old, I still treasure it. 

8 comments:

  1. how very cool, Marti!!! Not many people can say they've ever gotten a TELEGRAM!! Hoolio and Honeybear sound like they were great supporters of you and your accomplishments.

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  2. That is wonderful! I have never ever received a telegram, and I too associate them with bad news. My parents got one when my oldest brother was in the Navy and near death off the coast of Spain. It was a scary time, and I've always associated telegrams with the military and bad news. Glad your news was good! How fun to have that!

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  3. P.S. My brother did recover, btw, but not before the State Dept. had told my dad that if he wanted to see him alive, he needed to make plans to leave immediately for Spain. Then we got a second call saying that he was better. I just thought I should add that explanation...the rest of the story. :-)

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  4. What a great story! How wonderful that you've kept it all these years!

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  5. How neat! In all my life I don't think I ever received a telegram. I sent a few, though. Maybe that counts. How far we have all come from those days not so very long ago.

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  6. That is so cool! Your kids were right...you do have really interesting stories! The pictures of buffalo and bear roaming near the road as you drove through Yellowstone...all really neat! I'm glad they encouraged you to write them down. :) Thanks again for the encouragement today. :)

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