Days Drag On - Protected Again

The summer turned into fall and then into winter. The days and months still seemed to drag, and it was only the letters and frequent gifts from Jim made my days exciting and happy. Some of those gifts were beautiful linens, a feathery scarf made of banana leaf fibers, an embroidered evening purse fashioned of fine linen, and fringed Japanese tapestry (table cloth?) that we used once for a Wiseman in our children's Christmas pageant. But my most favorite gift was a silver pin which consisted of two hearts, one with an embedded pearl, bound together by an arrow. I still have those gifts, most of them too beautiful to use. I did wear the pin every day after receiving it and on special occasions after he returned home. I gave that pin to one of my girls (I can't remember for sure which one). I do remember it was for a special Young Women's activity at which mothers had secretly been asked to bring a gift for our daughter that had special meaning to us. That pin was certainly meaningful to me, and I hope it has been for her.

Two of my favorite people and my soon-to-be in laws, Jesse and Jean invited me to dinner quite often...I guess to get to know me better to see if I met the high standards they had for Jim. Since they had raised Jim during his teenage years, I'm sure they were like any parents would be - concerned that he was making a good choice at such a young age. We both were kind of young. Jim has always said that they approved from day one. But I'm not that sure. I think it was my mother that they really liked, and just hoped they she had taught me well. Or maybe it was their concern that I would not like or know how to prepare Mexican food because that is what we always seemed to eat when I came. The answer to their concerns was "no" and "no". I really didn't like those "hot" enchiladas and those chile rellenos and I really, really didn't have a clue how to make them. I wasn't so sure that I wanted to learn. But Jean taught me anyway, and I was willing to learn, especially since Jim loved Mexican food. He was raised on it.

It was during these months of working and waiting that my skin allergies went out of control. That wasn't good!!! Not now!!! One of my co-workers suggested that I go to this "great" chiropractor that she knew because "he knew how to cure any medical problem and she was sure he could help me". I had never been to a chiropractor in my life. My parents always felt that they were medical frauds so I was more than skeptical about their being able to help me. But I was desperate, so I made an appointment. The appointment was for one afternoon on my way home from work. I will never forget the feeling that I had when I walked into that "office" which was in an old home in an old section of town. It was a very dark, foreboding feeling. The windows were covered and the room was dark. I didn't see anyone in the room, but that "still small voice" said, "Get out of here, now!" And believe me I did! Although I never knew what danger I might have been exposed to, I believe this experience was another of those special times when I was "protected from evil designing men and women" as my patriarchal blessing stated that I would be. I don't mean this in anyway to be a reflection on chiropractors. I have since learned that most are good and qualified in what they do. I have since been to several that have really helped me, and do not hesitate to go again.

Nineteen fifty three came to an end and a new year was ushered in. Nineteen fifty four was to be the greatest year of my life so far. Jim would be coming home, I would be getting married, and my "living happily ever after" would begin. How young, how in love and how naive was I. But don't we all need those dreams and fantasies to help us take risks and make those giant steps into our future, and even do so with excited anticipation? For me it is a resounding "Yes!!"