In The Year 2039

“We are each of us born into trouble.  It is a sad fate to come into this world at all.”“That may be true.  Yet we must find the patience and resignation to endure our challenges as they arise to meet us.”--Elizabeth Gilbert, THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS
What a surprise!  Julie Waller got married.  I received a card with a couple of photos from her San Anselmo address (Marin County: 609 San Anselmo Avenue).  She wrote:
February 6, 1992Hi Michael,I’m so sorry.  This letter is long overdue.  The last six months I’ve been extremely busy.  

I got married in November.  A lot of our relatives came, including my mom…and I invited a lot of her friends.  So there wasn’t enough room for a lot of my friends.  It turned out a success.  It was one of the best days of my life. 

We went to JAMAICA for our honeymoon.  Needless to say, we had the best time.  It was one of those resorts that serve unlimited food, drinks, galore...  Most of the people we met in the resort had also just got married the same day we did!Local people in Jamaica were very nice, friendly.  Although some part of the island was poverty-stricken.  It made me think how much we have in the states.I also had a tubal pregnancy that put me out for several weeks.  The holidays were very quiet for us.  We spent most of the time at home.Well, so much to catch up on.  How are your holidays?  Are you dating?  What are you doing now?  Any luck with your screenwriting?   Write back soon as I have to get ready for work.Take Care, Love Julie
Alan’s longtime friend, Herb Braha (who he met via a cold call many years ago) sent a postcard during an escape with his wife, Carol, to ISRAEL.  I didn’t know Herb was a Syrian Jew until Alan mentioned it recently: Dear Alan and Michael:Unfortunately there is no stock market operating in the desert.  However, the country of ISRAEL is beautiful and quite moving.  There are thousands of teenagers with machine guns on their backs.  They think Los Angeles is the most violent city in the world.  The food is fair, always spiced with something.  People are nice, friendly and helpful. Carol is good.  Her father saw his brother for their historic meeting sixty-three years later.  We are on to Jerusalem today to visit the Wailing Wall and the old city.Haifa is beautiful…much like San Francisco.  See you soon.Best Regards,Herb and Carol
Ashley sent me one of the Valentine’s I sent her along with a new letter:
Dear Uncle Mike,I used your stamp that you gave me.  I could not find my ink so I put a marker on it and stamped it by the heart.  I made some Valentines with the FLINSTONE Valentine Cards that you gave me.  I did not get the information about the pen pal yet.  You would not believe how much I miss you.  We are doing a SPELL-A-THON.  I sold two.  Here’s another keychain for you.  I sold 366 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies!   I sold the most cookies in my troupe. Ally got sick on February 5th.  She threw-up all day.   That’s what mom said.  Well, I hope you like your FLINSTONE Valentine.  I have another one for you in the closet but I’m waiting for you to come and then you’ll get it.  I can’t wait until I get my address labels that have my name on them.Kisses and Hugs.  I Love you very much.Love, AshleyP.S.  I did see the pictures from Christmas.
Dorothy Rua found a cool, new photographic card of an ideal porch.  It was actually the porch of a museum property known as CHESTERWOOD in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.   She wrote:
2-7-92Dear Michael,Your latest cards are great even if I can’t celebrate retirement yet.  When I do though I hope to find myself on the same beach reflected on that one card…straw hat and all!  Card Number 2 with the round white picnic tables is also inviting, especially with the ocean so near!  LA NEGRESSE by Henri Matisse is quite unique.  


It must be really something at the Gallery of Art in D.C.  I’m curious to see how paper on canvas looks close-up.  You know what’s coming next…my favorite sun washed white terrace on the Mediterranean Sea with the splash of color offered by the flowering plants.  Yes, drinking a bottle of vintage red wine at that exact spot sounds wonderful.  Would you mind some company?  It looks very much like the coastline in Guam and it brings me back to the days I enjoyed there for so many summers.  I never sat on that particular terrace.  It’s something to dream about.  I can understand why it was difficult to part with that card.  It’s truly appreciated and it will brighten the area I work in (and my days).  Of course I will share it with RoseMarie and Kathy though!

It sounds like you’re still really busy preparing for your new career.  How did the presentation of your script go?  As far as prospecting goes I know this sounds morbid but what about the obituary in the newspapers, etc.   Widows left with disposable cash.   They may wish to invest for their heirs.  You may even find that one we used to tease you about.  Ha-ha.  Seriously, I know the energy you’re investing will pay off and it won’t be that long before you’re in up to your neck and hot all over! Ha-ha.  I am just quoting you, of course.  I loved your description!  Do send one of y our latest business cards.  I don’t have one.

My job is still boring as ever.  It is only a bit worse than usual because we have yet another supervisor as of January 2, 1992…a real pill!   I heard she won’t be around for long.  Once can hope!  Meanwhile, it’s a paycheck and benefits.   Where in the hell is that winning LOTTO ticket?On the home front my tenacity seems to be paying off—not with big strides but little steps.  I had another much needed talk and made a bit of progress.  We’ll see.  I wonder if the veranda we visit on in the year 2039 will look like this one of this card.  I have to believe that to the left the ocean is in my view and the waves are crashing with their usual force!  I may need their background music for the words that may flow.  I guess I’ll cut the melodramatics now!  Ha-ha.

I do plan to see FRIED GREEN TOMATOES soon.  I’m glad you liked it.  I hope I enjoy it, too.   I plan to see it with Kathy.I’m working on having a great February.  Make sure you do, too!  Later, Love, DorothyP.S. In answer to your question...my birthday is May 9th.

I loved when Dorothy wrote about our possibly meeting on a veranda in the the year 2039.  I often wonder what the future will bring.  Then again, I realize it is always best to enjoy the present and live for the moment.  We don't ask to be born, we don't ask to die; therefore, everything in-between is a gift.  Enjoy your gift (and perhaps that will include something special in the year 2039).   Maybe in the year 2039 I will finally taste fried green tomatoes.
Meanwhile, my nieces, LAUREN and LEIGH sent me Valentine’s.  That was so heartwarming.  What better gift in the world is there other than receiving handwritten mail or colored drawings from children?

I sent mom a postcard:2-8-92Hi Mom,I hadn’t sent you a card in a long time (at least a postcard), so I thought I’d drop you a line.  It’s better than getting another bill, right?  Ha-ha

I just came from SAV-ON for my prescription of pills to relieve my itching (that annoying dry skin: eczema).  It was only $3.79.  That’s good.  I guess it works.  I haven’t itched.Tomorrow is my big day.  My first day is Saturday.  I’ll be talking to you soon.Love, Michael
And yet…another cute letter from my eldest niece, Ashley arrived.  I loved her line about not having anything BIG enough to gift me:  February 10thDear Michael,How are you doing?  I wrote to Carrie two times but she will not get them then when I wrote them.  When are you coming to visit because I miss you a lot?  And I love you, too!Of course, Holly and Ally miss you.I love you.  Sorry I did not give you anything because I want to give you a big thing but I don’t have anything big enough.Love, Ashley…I Sure Do Miss You.
Alan and I are now amidst our adventure to Miami, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts. I love Miami.  While seated at the corner of the NEWS CAFÉ it was like watching a free runway show of models (and they were simply walking down the street).  Apparently, Miami is a major mecca for South American beauties (both men and women).  People like to be looked at.  I guess it is satisfying to be noticed once in a while. Gianni Versace’s Miami home is on the same block as the NEWS CAFÉ in the center of South Beach.  It looks so majestic and fancy as I peeked through the gates for a quick glance.   I like South Beach.  It’s a fun escape for a weekend.
There was something satisfying about being noticed when you had no interest in meeting anyone, when you were safely above all of that.
--Christopher Bram, IN MEMORY OF ANGEL CLARE, a novel