In the summer of 1969, it was Elvis Presley’s opening night at what was then The International Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. It was the first time he had performed in public for more than nine years. According to a Newsweek article dated August 11, 1969, the showroom was filled with 2,200 seats twice each day for four weeks; total attendance reportedly topped 101,509, a new Las Vegas record. The gross receipts were $1,522,635, also a Las Vegas record.
My husband made reservations six months in advance to be there for our seventh wedding anniversary; it was his anniversary gift to me.
The orchestra played the powerful theme from 2001 Space Odyssey to a reverberating crescendo when Elvis finally made his highly anticipated appearance and took command of the stage, wearing a white jump-suit.
The air seemed to fill with electrifying energy and euphoria as the audience stood and applauded with thunderous frenzy.
My husband bribed a couple of waiters and a maitre’d to sit me up front, center stage. I didn’t sit for long. I rose and pressed my body up against the platform as some women from behind me rushed the stage when Elvis teasingly pulled his scarf off his neck to wipe his brow before offering the scarf to his adoring fans.
I raised and waved my hand to plea for the priceless scarf. I screamed out his name. He turned and looked right at me, giving me his trademark, upper lip curled smile, and said “Hold on honey, I’ll get to you.”
One of his body guards pointed a flashlight beam on my burnt orange hot pants (shorts) and matching calypso blouse that I wore, that seemed to cue the lighting technician, because changing color lights washed over me repeatedly before panning the rest of the audience in the auditorium.
Then a single large spot light followed Elvis as he moved nearer to me and knelt down on one knee directly in front of me. I was mesmerized by his sapphire-blue eyes as he sang Love Me Tender. I was sure he was singing just to me. Slowly Elvis leaned foreword to slip his scarf over my head until it reached the back of my neck pulling me closer to him. I stood on my tip-toes, closed my eyes…then he kissed me on the lips softly and tenderly. Women shrilled fervently, but he chose me.
I opened my eyes feeling a bit shook up and disorientated. All sounds seemed muffled before everything went dim and I fell to the ground. I vaguely heard someone say, “She’s fainted, give her some room!” And I remember thinking, “if only Elvis could give me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”
That was forty years ago, yet the images of that magical time in my life are vibrant in the recesses of my mind; where I visit from time to time when I need a break from the doldrums and I’m once again feeling vital and All Shook Up.
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Our First Home, by Nora Szechy
After many years of apartment living and having scrimped and saved every penny, we now had the princely sum of $1,550, enough for a 10% down payment on a $15,500 home. We looked at every home for sale and even in 1965 realized that all we could buy would be an entry level fixer upper.
We were becoming quite discouraged until one day Frank came home very excited with the news that he had found us a home. He said the realtor was waiting at the property and I should come with him to sign the papers.
The house was a small frame house and didn’t look too bad from the outside. Frank brought me around the back to where the realtor was waiting. The realtor was seated at a picnic table with a sheaf of papers in front of him. Lo and behold on this sunny afternoon in the backyard was a beautiful sparkling swimming pool! He said we had to act quickly because a house like this for $15,500 wouldn’t last long. He gave me a quick tour of the house and in my excitement about the lovely backyard and pool, I barely looked at the house. This agent was very clever having us sign the papers by the inviting Pool. I didn’t realize then that we had paid $15,500 for a pool.
This house was butt ugly. Whoever designed it never went to architecture school or wasn’t even a decent handyman. The living room was more like a long narrow hallway made even longer and narrower by the dark paneling on the side walls. It was impossible to decorate. Should we try the couch in the middle of the room to try to break up the length? Who ever heard of a couch in the middle of a room? Whichever way we tried to place our furniture, it looked plain awkward.
My ever-resourceful husband Frank decided to remove the dark paneling and with the use of mirrors and white paint, the room took on a wider appearance. He built a bookcase on the long end which helped balance the length.
He tackled the pokey little old-fashioned kitchen next. He broke out the wall facing the pool and extended the kitchen several feet. He also added a master bedroom and bath.
We had four happy years in our first home and often entertained yard loads of friends for BBQ’s and swimming parties.
The best part was when the time came to sell, we doubled our investment!
Nora's website
We were becoming quite discouraged until one day Frank came home very excited with the news that he had found us a home. He said the realtor was waiting at the property and I should come with him to sign the papers.
The house was a small frame house and didn’t look too bad from the outside. Frank brought me around the back to where the realtor was waiting. The realtor was seated at a picnic table with a sheaf of papers in front of him. Lo and behold on this sunny afternoon in the backyard was a beautiful sparkling swimming pool! He said we had to act quickly because a house like this for $15,500 wouldn’t last long. He gave me a quick tour of the house and in my excitement about the lovely backyard and pool, I barely looked at the house. This agent was very clever having us sign the papers by the inviting Pool. I didn’t realize then that we had paid $15,500 for a pool.
This house was butt ugly. Whoever designed it never went to architecture school or wasn’t even a decent handyman. The living room was more like a long narrow hallway made even longer and narrower by the dark paneling on the side walls. It was impossible to decorate. Should we try the couch in the middle of the room to try to break up the length? Who ever heard of a couch in the middle of a room? Whichever way we tried to place our furniture, it looked plain awkward.
My ever-resourceful husband Frank decided to remove the dark paneling and with the use of mirrors and white paint, the room took on a wider appearance. He built a bookcase on the long end which helped balance the length.
He tackled the pokey little old-fashioned kitchen next. He broke out the wall facing the pool and extended the kitchen several feet. He also added a master bedroom and bath.
We had four happy years in our first home and often entertained yard loads of friends for BBQ’s and swimming parties.
The best part was when the time came to sell, we doubled our investment!
Nora's website
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Around the World in 28 Days, by Charlene Farnsworth
While we were growing up, our depression-era parents wanted my brother Jim and me to enjoy our young years which were filled with fun and few chores. Amazingly, with such permissiveness, we both actually became quite responsible citizens. In my quest for independence I would not let my parents buy my first car. I wanted to pay cash for my first “wheels.” With such a grand goal, I knew I must be employed soon since I had little money saved. As I confessed, I was having fun with family and friends instead of holding summer jobs.
Pursuing employment at age 18, I walked to the nearby North American Aviation (NAA) facility six consecutive days. It was great news to hear that I was hired and could start immediately. The buyer for whom I worked was a patient teacher and I began to mature and progress. My plan was to work at NAA during the summer, then continue my college education towards becoming a teacher.
This turned into a rewarding 33-year career at the aerospace company and teaching became my life-long avocation. I walked to work or took various means of transportation and, at age 21, I purchased my first car. While properly contributing to the household expenses, I continued my good habits of accumulating some savings for fun or unexpected expenses.
Shortly after my 24th birthday, my parents and I had a wonderful opportunity come our way, a 28-day trip “Around the World” staying in comfortable hotels with most meals included. We first arrived in Hawaii, then visited the following countries and regions: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Italy and France. Obviously, in only 28 days, we could not linger long at any one destination. We could simply meet the people, enjoy the unique landscape, and revel in the remarkable history of each land.
Mom and I were diligent in maintaining journals throughout our trip. Mom, being a photographer, fine artist and teacher, poetically described nature’s beauty and the ancient buildings and artifacts. I wrote about the people and their unique customs, costumes and personalities. We both included historical facts in our writings derived from brochures and lectures. The year was 1965 when women usually wore dresses and pantsuits were a rarity. As one can imagine, mounting and dismounting from a camel in such wear was definitely a challenge!
Personally visiting places filled with historical landmarks, where many important worldly events took place, certainly was overwhelming. Until then, we had only been exposed to such places in history books or by attending local in-person narrated travelogues. Sharing precious memories of our spectacular “Around the World” trip has been a favorite pastime. How very fortunate we were to take such a journey as a family at a time when we all were physically and financially able and before many of the places we visited were significantly changed or could no longer be visited.
Pursuing employment at age 18, I walked to the nearby North American Aviation (NAA) facility six consecutive days. It was great news to hear that I was hired and could start immediately. The buyer for whom I worked was a patient teacher and I began to mature and progress. My plan was to work at NAA during the summer, then continue my college education towards becoming a teacher.
This turned into a rewarding 33-year career at the aerospace company and teaching became my life-long avocation. I walked to work or took various means of transportation and, at age 21, I purchased my first car. While properly contributing to the household expenses, I continued my good habits of accumulating some savings for fun or unexpected expenses.
Shortly after my 24th birthday, my parents and I had a wonderful opportunity come our way, a 28-day trip “Around the World” staying in comfortable hotels with most meals included. We first arrived in Hawaii, then visited the following countries and regions: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Italy and France. Obviously, in only 28 days, we could not linger long at any one destination. We could simply meet the people, enjoy the unique landscape, and revel in the remarkable history of each land.
Mom and I were diligent in maintaining journals throughout our trip. Mom, being a photographer, fine artist and teacher, poetically described nature’s beauty and the ancient buildings and artifacts. I wrote about the people and their unique customs, costumes and personalities. We both included historical facts in our writings derived from brochures and lectures. The year was 1965 when women usually wore dresses and pantsuits were a rarity. As one can imagine, mounting and dismounting from a camel in such wear was definitely a challenge!
Personally visiting places filled with historical landmarks, where many important worldly events took place, certainly was overwhelming. Until then, we had only been exposed to such places in history books or by attending local in-person narrated travelogues. Sharing precious memories of our spectacular “Around the World” trip has been a favorite pastime. How very fortunate we were to take such a journey as a family at a time when we all were physically and financially able and before many of the places we visited were significantly changed or could no longer be visited.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Torn Inside, Beautiful Outside, by Annette Skarin
When I was a teen, a horrible incident left my already crushed soul eviscerated and stamped down to the core. I chose not to have an abortion. When I saw my perfect baby daughter for the first time in my arms-in all her pureness and innocence-my soul once more was touched by the merciful beam of redemption.
One day when my daughter was almost three, an unforeseen tragedy was about to happen. I had just returned with a friend from doing volunteer work at a hospital and the night had already grown dark. I wearily got out of his van, picked my daughter up and placed her on the sidewalk next to a parked car. I reached in the van, got my belongings, shut the door, and turned.
Just as the adrenaline shock reached my brain, I heard the screams! I saw the back tire of the van going over her little body. As if a robot had taken over my bodily actions, I ran to her, picked her up, put her into the van, and directed my friend to the nearest hospital. Her body was twisted and her eyes were rolling back in her head.
When we arrived, I handed her to the nearest attendant, who whisked her tiny body through those huge swallowing doors. Doctors soon came back through the doors-out of breath-and said they needed to operate immediately. They led me to her tiny pallid body, her belly bloated with blood. I stood in the waiting room-a desperate praying mother.
The doctors came out after her operation, and snapped me out of my stupefied state. They explained that most of her organs had been torn in two, or in fourths (liver, gall bladder, kidneys), and some of her intestine had to be removed. They said she was stable and would be in intensive care for a few days. I camped out at the hospital during the day. One morning the nurses told me they had heard singing coming from her room and thought there was a TV program on.
They went in the room to find her belting out a children’s song about Jesus. She recovered quickly except for a large hematoma which remained for a long time. I asked the doctor what her chances of being normal physically were, but he could only reply that he had never seen a child survive an accident like this. She didn’t find out until later in life that her pelvis had been broken in two.
My daughter graduated from college, then went on to an international school to teach English in other countries. She is a vivacious and well-liked person. She taught in China, Thailand, Japan and Portugal. She has done rock-climbing, surfing, scuba-diving, hiking and Frisbee tournaments. Presently she is finishing her thesis for her PhD, at Stanford University. I am so proud. But best of all I have a precious granddaughter, who is now 7 years old. That is a miracle.
* * *
Note from Bonnie:
Annette wrote this story at my request. She told me part of the story in class one day and I was so moved by it that I asked her to write it down. I am grateful that she was willing to share such a personal story in this medium. She has limited her story to the 500 word maximum for this post, but the story is even more gripping than appears here. For a longer, more complete version of the story, please see Annette's blog at: carinskarin.blogspot.com
One day when my daughter was almost three, an unforeseen tragedy was about to happen. I had just returned with a friend from doing volunteer work at a hospital and the night had already grown dark. I wearily got out of his van, picked my daughter up and placed her on the sidewalk next to a parked car. I reached in the van, got my belongings, shut the door, and turned.
Just as the adrenaline shock reached my brain, I heard the screams! I saw the back tire of the van going over her little body. As if a robot had taken over my bodily actions, I ran to her, picked her up, put her into the van, and directed my friend to the nearest hospital. Her body was twisted and her eyes were rolling back in her head.
When we arrived, I handed her to the nearest attendant, who whisked her tiny body through those huge swallowing doors. Doctors soon came back through the doors-out of breath-and said they needed to operate immediately. They led me to her tiny pallid body, her belly bloated with blood. I stood in the waiting room-a desperate praying mother.
The doctors came out after her operation, and snapped me out of my stupefied state. They explained that most of her organs had been torn in two, or in fourths (liver, gall bladder, kidneys), and some of her intestine had to be removed. They said she was stable and would be in intensive care for a few days. I camped out at the hospital during the day. One morning the nurses told me they had heard singing coming from her room and thought there was a TV program on.
They went in the room to find her belting out a children’s song about Jesus. She recovered quickly except for a large hematoma which remained for a long time. I asked the doctor what her chances of being normal physically were, but he could only reply that he had never seen a child survive an accident like this. She didn’t find out until later in life that her pelvis had been broken in two.
My daughter graduated from college, then went on to an international school to teach English in other countries. She is a vivacious and well-liked person. She taught in China, Thailand, Japan and Portugal. She has done rock-climbing, surfing, scuba-diving, hiking and Frisbee tournaments. Presently she is finishing her thesis for her PhD, at Stanford University. I am so proud. But best of all I have a precious granddaughter, who is now 7 years old. That is a miracle.
* * *
Note from Bonnie:
Annette wrote this story at my request. She told me part of the story in class one day and I was so moved by it that I asked her to write it down. I am grateful that she was willing to share such a personal story in this medium. She has limited her story to the 500 word maximum for this post, but the story is even more gripping than appears here. For a longer, more complete version of the story, please see Annette's blog at: carinskarin.blogspot.com
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