Delores E. Topliff
For Part 2 of finding a perfect
life mate, I’ll introduce you to my Uncle Johnny. As a kid, I found him
fascinating. He collected all kinds and shapes of polished agates, had
countless records of bird songs, stacks of National Geographics,
and a few statues of naked alabaster ladies. Everything he displayed in his
home was interesting, but he had not found a life mate. (I do wonder what the
ideal candidate might have looked like). He joined a Lonely Hearts Club, and
exchanged letters and photos with a promising candidate years before online
connections were available. He boarded and rode the train from Washington State
to New York City for days to meet her. She had told him the color of the coat
and the hat she would be wearing as she stood at the platform where his train
would pull in. Family legend says she was there, he saw her, but he did not get
off the train. I do not know if she did not match her photo well enough. Or he
got cold feet about pursuing a relationship, but he stayed on that train as it
reversed direction and returned all the way to Washington State. I wish that
story had a happier ending—I have imagined many alternate scenarios.
I knew an attractive 6’ tall
young woman in remote northern Alaska who was encouraged to be patient, that
God had a special someone for her, and would send him in time in answer to her
prayer. With few prospects around, she said, “God would have to drop him from
the sky.” That next summer when they had a forest fire, a handsome 6’ plus
smokejumper floated down using their camp as a base. After his crew put out the
forest fire, he began a blaze with that young lady, and they’ve kept their home
fires burning ever since.
There are as many fascinating
ways for people to get together as there are people. Please share your favorite
story or suggestions for connecting. And Happy Valentine’s Day.
No comments:
Post a Comment