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Archiver > TNDICKSO > 2003-11 > 1070243144


From: "Cheryl Adams" <>
Subject: Re: [TNDICKSO] Please, Please Read
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2003 20:45:44 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
References: <3FCA9698.000032.18607@oem-computer>


I have sent this to TnDickson since it happened in about 1997/98...
Kind of a tradition..now..
For you new folks I hope you enjoy it... and for you old timers thanks for
puttin up with it yet again!
Cher
Chief Digger

A True Story (with minor embellishments)
While in Dickson, Tennessee one October, I went to the library to use their
exceptional genealogy resources. I entered the small gen room and chose a
large table in the corner of the room. Typically, I casually looked around
to see who else was in the room with me. (I sometimes run into someone
working on the same Surnames) There were only two other people in that musty
space. One was at the microfilm reader and the other perusing the shelves of
research material for 'just the right book.
After I settled into my nest at the back of the room, the door opened with a
slow squeak. The dry hinges of the thick walled doors conceded resentfully
and allowed the door to open. I glanced up and saw an unusual man walk in.
He walked straight to the table where I was sitting. He slowly placed his
attach on that glossy surface and pulled up a heavy oak armchair to make
himself comfortable. I fought the urge to stare. I opted to peer 'out of the
corner of my eye' while trying to act busy with my own work. I watched him
while he arranged his papers in what appeared to me to be haphazard. As I
looked more closely at him I noticed that he was a portly man but he looked
strong...like a man that was used to lifting heavy objects and working hard.
He was wearing a newish plaid flannel shirt and fresh crisply ironed jeans.
His leather belt stretched through the loops of his jeans with just enough
strain on it that it appeared as if he sneezed the clasp would give way and
cause a loud snap from the release of the strain. His reading glasses were
balanced precariously on the tip of his masculine pugged nose. His cheeks
were small apples placed high on his face and bright as if he had been out
in the cold. His cap sat with a jaunt on his fringed balding head. Somehow
it looked right... Its dark fabric stained from years of wear and the bill
cupped just right from repeating adjustments. Oh, but his eyes.... They
could have been any color. What I really noticed was their intensity and
unusually bright twinkle. It was as if he was smiling at a secret joke. His
most outstanding feature however, was his beard. Not ordinary at all! It was
like white cotton candy, billowy, but well groomed. I smiled to myself and
renewed the ritual of settling into my work. As I scrambled for paper and
pencil I couldn't help but glance up at him periodically, wonder and resume
my reading.
The room was quiet except for the sound of pages being turned and the
squeaking of chairs. My mind kept drifting back to him. And if? I couldn
t stand it any longer! I peeped over my paper as he continued to make notes
and read data. My heart was in my throat Could it be? Could it really be
HIM? I swallowed slowly, but I felt my throat knot as I tried to form the
words I took a steadying breath and I then said with shaky confidence, "
You KNOW, I have been V-E-R-Y GOOD!" I quickly looked back at my work,
embarrassed and waiting for a response. As the time passed I began to think
I had made a mistake. It wasn't HIM. . Butbut. If it wasn't HIM, he was a
great imitation One way or another, I would know soon. It was an
immeasurable length of time, yet, probably not more than 10 to 15 seconds
before he deliberately peered at me over his glasses, patting the side of
his nose wit his index finger as though thinking carefully about his words..
.Then, he said slowly with soberness in his voice and a wink in his eye, " I
ll have to check my list". And just a quickly, he looked back at his work
and began to write..... Did I hear him correctly? Did I see what I saw? I
replayed his words in my head YES! I had heard him right Yes! Yes! IT WAS
HIM! IT had to be HIM... NO one else would dare say that! Happy that I was
right, I settled down to work I knew then, it was going to be a WONDERFUL
CHRISTMAS indeed!




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