text:
Sixty years ago today - Dec. 13, 1953
A wisp of life
Brings forth a surge of living.
A silent gift
Inspires a life of giving.
A perfect gift
Compels eternity:
A life so lived
As to give
Life to life,
And that,
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
march.1954 - Written in memory of Harriet
I was in Houston, where I'd gone following my graduation from SMU in Dallas the previous June. I left Dallas on poor terms with Harriet and there had been no resolution, nor even any discussion. She did not wish to hear "why" or to forgive my rash action, which, to me, had been life-saving.
That Sunday, my roommate, Patty, and I were celebrating our "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree with our two Air Force cadet guests, her fiancé and the young man who, in the unsettled aftermath of the accident, would become my husband in 1954.
That day, nothing was further from our minds than tragedy, which I would learn about when a special bulletin broke into the early evening music program on the radio, as Patty and I were listening and preparing our clothes for the next day's work. The full names of the victims were announced. It was mentioned that one sister, (Nellieanna) was in Houston and had not been contacted. If anyone knew how to let me know, that was requested. Patty and I had just moved, had no phone and our new address had not yet reached our kinfolks via snail-mail.
It nearly undid me. Patty alerted the two cadets, who were quick to extend help, letting my family know I'd heard so they could send a private plane for me. Were it not for them managing to get me to the plane which would take me to Dallas the next morning, so I'd be there with the family and for the funeral, I do not know what I'd have done. It's all a blur. It was my first plane ride. I recall the kindness of the private pilot.
I didn't drive, neither Patty nor I had cars, family or close friends in Houston, and - most significantly, I was completely beyond lucid thought to plan in the immediate aftermath of learning about the incomprehensible accident. I'd been so sure that Harriet and I would mend our fences and be close again. It was not to be.
This song, "Stranger In Paradise" from the movie, Kismet, was current at the time. Its haunting melody and words permeated my black cloud semi-awake dreams all that night in that apartment. I always associate this song, in its ethereal ambience, with that experience, to this day. It is a slight relief from memories of suffocating black clouds descending around me the duration of that excruciating night and it seemed somehow a promise of hope for my loved ones.
Stranger In Paradise (sung by Tony Bennett)
This will be the first time I've ever shared any of the explicit newspaper coverage of that dreadful night's accident. There were coverages in several newspapers. These photos and summaries are from the Dallas Daily Times-Herald - Dec. 14, 1953.
The paper is old, delicate, and yellowed. Seems high time I scan it while I can. I've wanted to continue my hub "Harriet's Odyssey" but I must admit I didn't know how to continue it, knowing this was how it ended. Today seemed a signal to just show this, not as a morbid memory, but as truth, - one of the most significant affecting occurences of my entire life, which happened when I was 21, nearly 22.
I've referred to it briefly to friends in private conversations, in various comments on Hubpages, and on my own Webpage series, "The Attic". Now, I'm sharing it more fully with you on this 60th anniversary of the tragedy. Thank you for your love and understanding.
Many years later, while standing in line to get my car registration renewal, I fell into conversation with an individual from Royse City, who was there that evening of the accident, who gingerly described the horror and clamor of it when it occurred. He had never forgotten it, even 45 or so years later.
It had been dusk in early winter. The RR crossing was diagonal; there was no light indicating an approaching train, just the train's own whistle. Vic was hard of hearing. One can only imagine the noise in the car generated by three small boys after a weekend of running freely on the farm, as they were returning to the confines of the city. There would have been voices from Harriet and the maid, attempting to calm them down; perhaps Vic's own strong voice of censure had added to the cacophony inside their station wagon. It was surely an accident ready to happen, as they say.
It happened most tragically. Mercifully, it must have been instantaneous.
Harriet and Vic had purchased a farm out beyond Royse City so their boys could know country life, as well as their life in the city. They'd also purchased a home on the east side of Dallas, to make the journey to the farm easier, and were just moving into it. They were spending weekends renovating a log cabin they'd had shipped from the Smoky Mountains to become their getaway dwelling there. They had their family maid along to help with the boys so Harriet and Vic could work on the project. I know beyond a doubt that if I'd stayed in Dallas, as Harriet had planned I would, I'd have been with them to help with the project or the boys. This has given the tragedy a very personal meaning, as one might imagine.
Not only had she not forgiven my leaving Dallas, but had I stayed, I would not be writing about this now, nor would any of the happenings of my last 60 years have happened. It's quite mind-blowing, even now.
Thank you, my friends, for allowing me to share some of the beautiful, bitter-sweet memories of a sister I loved dearly and still miss.
When I see a rose,
Or five,
I am reminded ~
There are those
Whose every glance and touch,
Whose very beings mean so much.
They were those
Who - even passing -
Still cast longer shadows
'Pon us who yet survive;
Those they were
Who, having passed,
Left larger, gaping,
Vacant spaces, -
Imprinted indelible traces, -
Upon the passing lives
They'd touched.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
My own life had switched tracks dramatically, though that was far from my concern as it was happening. I'd simply been rescued with the same stroke in which my brave show of independence had been clipped and left dangling in shreds. All I could feel then was helpless loss of someone I loved who'd been my mentor and - sadly - my almost complete controller for several years.
In my frazzled state of mind, I returned to Houston and my job as a Bridal Consultant but was in no shape to perform it. In spite of my future husband's strong objections to my leaving Houston, I quit my job and returned to San Angelo to be with my parents, who were suffering a state of shock themselves, and where I went further into a state of semi-shock in the month or so to follow.
But then my future husband would reach out on my birthday, Feb. 2, sending roses, which offered me a glimmer of hope, though it was to be rather short-lived hope in the bigger scheme of things. But at that moment, I smelled the roses, raised my eyes from the gloom and embraced life again, little knowing that he would quickly begin assuming the control role while I was still too numb to notice effectively, much less to realize it was not motivated with the loving, though misguided, desire to help me as Harriet's had been.
Of course, this next chapter is not what this account concerns, though it's difficult to separate it completely. That my life had certainly run into its own poorly signaled upcoming tracks, was the immediate result of the chain of events begun that December Sunday, from which my own odyssey commenced, partly as its extended result.
Yet I wouldn't be who I am otherwise. Events fell into place in each one's wake and led on into the life I've led. One cannot - or need not - second-guess these matters, but it is beneficial to better understand them, and, perhaps, to share them from the perspective of having assimilated them oneself.
From life's
Messy mixture
Poetry rises
To the top
Or settles
To bottom.
Highest aspiration,
Lowest tribulation,
Expressing Into words.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
On December 13, 1953, and for many months following, my bitter loss of Harriet and her family, with whom I'd lived part of my years at SMU, overshadowed all else, and continued to affect my life for many years to follow, needless to say. She had taught me many valuable things; and even though her designs for my life were not my own, her influence has enriched my own. Perhaps any appearance of grace I show can be partly traced to her influence. She certainly pulsated with it!
She was born in 1918 and became a product of the 1920s, in which a successful lady underplayed her intelligence and 'won' at the game by her charm and grace. She used her smarts to create a world around her of security and comfort, social approval and domesticity. I wasn't opposed so much as just unsuited to many of her ideas of who and how I would have to be to 'fit in'. I'd never considered fitting in especially important. I was more interested in BEING. She wouldn't have accepted what I meant and would have redoubled her efforts to rid me of such notions!
I'd thought I'd be ready to strike out on my own after graduation, but she'd already designed my next steps, in precise detail. Non-negotiable. So I simply fled without consulting her. Of course, she was angry. Of course she referred to me in a letter to our parents as "the most ungrateful child she ever knew"! She inferred they should disown me, in fact. She didn't want them to tell her about how well I was doing in Houston. She truly had no idea I was anything more than 'an ungrateful child' or that I knew what I was doing and had to do; and - sadly - now she never could know.
Who can say what destiny was in charge? Not I. Whatever it may have been, though, it took over. I continued to grow and find my way. As many of you have said, she would have been pleased, probably. Perhaps even she would have learned more and become more tolerant and accepting, accompanied by generous amounts of impressive aplomb and dignity, no doubt. She was born with those.
No doubt much of my poetic inspiration over the years stemmed from some of these experiences, though. I'm quite happy to say I'm at peace, and actually have never been not at peace or bitter, at least not for very long. Life is good. Thank you, Harriet, and all who have contributed to mine. I hope I've also contributed to yours.
Perhaps being assigned a role of an eternal child affords some perks! :-)
© 2013 Nellieanna Hay
I love that you still have the knotted object, Nellieanna. I still have a tiny clay pot that was given to me by a little girl in Mexico. It holds a special place in my heart, always taking me back to the ciudad, the smells emanating from the tortilla factory every morning, and of course the little irl who gave it to me. I wonder what she would look like today, almost 30 years later.
I must visit those hubs you posted. Thanks for sharing it.
On the topic of Spanish, I studied the laguage all through Middle school and High school, but did not master it until I threw myself into Mexico, where I lived for a year. When I left, I was fluent. When I got to college, I decided it was a piece of cake to get a minor in Spanish, so I did. Today, I really have to work to retain it as I do not communicate with it often, but i do try to watch Spanish novelas which help to keep the knowledge at least.
That poem is a piece of treasure. Thank you for sharing so much of your family and you with me.
England has been tugging at my heart for the last couple of years. I may have to pack up and move next year, like I told Manatita. You can only ignore the tug for so long. lol
I do hope I am able to make the trip to Peru, and I am taking every step to make sure that I am healthy.
I have been to England a few times. The first time it rained for 3 weeks. I finally saw the sun the day I was leaving, but it was still an amazing trip.
I've enjoyed our exchanges, Nellieanna. I'm so glad we connected.
Oh, Nellieanna, Hong Kong was amazing. I would definitely love to go back for an extended time, but I promised my youngest son that I would take him to China since his great-grandparents were full blooded Chinese. His paternal grandmother still lives, but his dad and grandpa have passed on, so it is really tugging at his heart to visit where his dad's family is from. We decided to take on the task of learning Chinese this year....at least the spoken part.
I have a friend who is travelling all over Europe and I feel the same way.....that I could be a little stowaway in her luggage. She's been to several countries I haven't, and vice-versa.
Traveling is such an eye-opener. You cannot visit a country without being changed in some way...hopefully for the better.
I really want to visit Peru....Machu Picchu to be exact...but with my lung issues, it would take a lot of preparation. I have not given up on it, but I am aware now of the task it takes to get there.
Thank you, Nellieanna! That's so sweet to say. I do try to be positive and have a positive outlook on everything, even tragedy,
Yes, I have traveled to as far as Taiwan doing missionary/volunteer work....many moons ago now, it seems. My travels and volunteer work also took me to Guatemala and Mexico where I stayed for a year. I've been to the middle east, but just for a very short stint, and to various places in Europe.
On one occasion I got "stuck" in Hong Kong when I missed flight. I was put up in the newest hotel in the penthouse suite, and enjoyed an amazing day in Hong Kong. How "terrible" that I missed my flight. LOL
You're right. My mother did it for the best. Of that I am sure. I was born in Grand Cayman, Nellieanna, and taken to Jamaica when I was two years old, where I spent 10 years. I came to the U.S. for college many years later.
I can empathize with you. There are things I wish I could have told my mother before she passed, but I was happy with the conversations we did have. I wanted her to know that I did not hate her for giving me to her mother to raise, and I hope she got that message. She was always so hesitant to speak about why she did it, but in the end I know it was for the best.
Sometimes we don't really get the chance for amends, but we must live with the love that was shared, and the lessons that were taught. You were blessed to have her as a sister. I can tell from your words, and I know that even after all these years she still holds a special place in your heart that time can never diminish.
There are no words, Nellieanna! Such a tragic story, yet you managed to see glimpses of hope, of wisdom, of knowledge and of light, and of love.
Life truly is short, so we should love the people in our lives.
Much love!
Dear Nellieanna, interaction on one of the mot impressive and genuine Hub article of your " Sixty years..." evoke desire to read it again. So much truth and wisdom in it I want and need to know more- reminded by:
"Only life can teach life.
The only things that facts can teach
Are facts."
So many priceless experiences we happen to know from the life of the others, make us stronger as we are marching toward the last victory, which will be celebrated with those who gone before us.
Voting awesome, both the article and comments.
God bless and protect you, always.
I'm very sorry to hear about what you had to go through. It is very sad and it's good that you share your wounds of love. I'm sure that your sister is very proud of what you have become and that you were able to still remember and cherish many memories of her which inspires you to write. God bless you!!
Nellieanna, thank you for sharing this deep and intimate part of your life. How tragic--no signal at the tracks? I'll bet there's one now, if the train is still running!
I almost envy you in a way because I had absolutely no one encouraging me to do anything with my life, and I certainly needed guidance. If advice or encouragement runs contrary to one's core values, however, that advice becomes seemingly pushy or controlling. This latter case seems to be what was happening for you.
The only consolation I see is that the deaths must have been instantaneous, due to the appearance of the car in the aftermath. Also, time heals all wounds.
I believe Harriet sees you from time to time, has forgiven you, and is even proud of what you have done with your life.
They say everything happens for a reason. This hub is undoubtedly a catharsis for you.
Voted Beautiful. Blessings!
Hi Nellieanna What a tragedy! It is so seldom a whole family is taken from us, and so difficult to understand. Your fiance sounds so supportive, along with your family and faith. I enjoy the stories of your past and know writing this one must have been difficult, but putting it in writing transfers it from your brain to paper, often creating a cleansing effect. Thank you for sharing allowing me to express condolences. Blessings. Audrey
Hi Nellianna. I found your hub so informative and heartfelt. There is little that can be added to all the other contributors above. I am sure you would give anything to put right the difficulty with your darling sister. However it was not to be. Thank you for sharing.
Voted up and following.
Was surfing under uncle Vic's name to see what I could come up with either undr WW2 or SMU football. I am Vic Saufley's only living nephew I think...just one year older than little Bill would have been...we used to play together. I have the same picture you have of the family plus others. My mother was LouDelle Smith Stanley, uncle Vic's younger half sister. I named my oldest son Victor Clay after uncle Vic. I am on Facebook and have a e/m address that begins with my first and last name in small case letters followed by the numeral 47, then the ampersand followed by yahoo then dot com. I would like to compare notes if you feel led to do so.
Oh Nellieanna thank you for sharing part of your life story with me. WAW only you surviving in your immediate family, well God has given you long life upon the land which he giveth to you. I am happy that you are still active and can find yourself peace and joy in your writings . Well hubbers are your family to you know and God is your best friend.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Nellieanna please to meet you, i had a school friend name nellieanna well i am so sorry to hear about that tragic incident about your sister and her family. It was really horrible from viewing the pictures above.
I can just image how it must have messed you up after getting such sad news. I lost my brother when he was five years old back in 2000 . I was only twelve and we were like peas and carrots so i still miss him dearly. Since i started writing poetry i always do one or two for him a year.
Your poem about poetry and expressing words etc is so true. Through my poems i have been able to unwind a lot of my emotions.
Thanks for sharing this personal real life story with us.
May God continue to bless and give you strength and courage and i do admire that you still write poems etc at your age.
The tragedies that befall families places a heavy burden on those left behind to mourn and be left with scenes that will never leave their souls. I lost a friend in a similar train accident, she did not hear or see the train coming as it crashed into her car, there was nothing left of her vehicle. I can't imagine the suddenness of it all. I am with you my dear, knowing you needed to express your thoughts on this timely anniversary of the tragic loss of a family so close to you.
Through it all as weak as you must have felt, your strength endured to carry you through to where you are now. A very strong woman who perseveres through life. It appears to me that both you and your sister were strong personalities, maybe quite opposites in many ways, yet still a bond of sisterhood prevailed. Thank you for sharing, letting it out, I know the family you lost is looking over you with total love and understanding. Hugs sweet Nellieanna.
We were so blessed. Local folks put the money together to put The Coon Rapids Enterprise, online - 1,200 population for the last 150 years... ;-)
We kept a lot of clippings from the hometown newspaper, but, it is now 100% available on-line from 1882! Every page of every week.
My Mom went with the preacher's son, in High School, then he moved away. It was interesting to see her and my Dad get together via a common interest in going dancing on weekends, even though he was three years ahead of her in school in the small town. This was the year after she graduated. What fun! ;-)
I've been posting my Mother's Diary on our Family Blog - The KINNICK Project! I'm currently following 75 years ago, today... that will take us to my birth day, in a few months. Great fun. Have access to hometown newspaper stories to work with, as well! ;-)
Nellieanna, what a beautiful tribute and a tragic story. You really poured your heart out in this hub. Thank you for sharing it.
Lovely photos.... Superb family portrait... Memories - so sad...
Merry Christmas Nellieanna. Your biblical quote above brings much to mind. Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Christmas services this year brought tears to my eyes. My financial poverty suits me better than wealth ever did. My nonconformity to the materialism of this world has freed me to value my spirituality though I still long for the security and status of wealth. I am glad for those who have it. I am reading "An Unfinished Life" about JFK and my thoughts were drawn to the loss of your own sister Harriet. Her story will never be written beyond these pages. Her potential greatness will remain unknown except on Heaven's pages. JFK's path was already written in history and his assassination in Dallas remains the subject of speculation 50 years after his death.
JFK was a nonconformist who challenged the military industrial complex, the Federal Reserve and secret societies which he warned about publicly. His assassination occurred on the November 22 anniversary of his great grandfather's death. The tragedies of the Kennedy family are common knowledge. Rose Kennedy survived to age 104 and experienced it all. Joe, Jr. died in the war. Jack and Bobby were assassinated. Kathleen died in an air crash. Her grandson, John, Jr. died in a private plane crash. His sister, Caroline, survives as the repository of so much family grief. Your personal grief is no less but loss and grief are shared by all of us and we are all much richer having shared yours. The Kennedy Tragedies are particularly tragic because of the human hand of assassins who have created so many unfinished lives and continue to do so in the name of national security as though that is sufficient justification. Life and death were once matters best left in the Hands of God. Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me. May all of the love and blessings of this holy season be with you and all of your readers and commentators. Much love with hugs.
Nell there is nothing left to say after reading this. As you can imagine I am just stunned. A tragedy of this proportion just leaves behind so many aching hearts. I often wonder why? why? a family with small children but I know somewhere there might be an answer perhaps just something unforseen. I don't know but I do know that it doesn't make us give up on our faith. My thoughts with you and how it can still make you feel even after all these years. I know she has been right there with you all of the years through and smiling down from above at all of the good things in your life and when you think of her and her family. Hugs. Hope your Christmas is merry and bright, your loved ones with you in memory and heart and a wonderful and shiny New Year.
Wow, Nellieanna, what a scenario. Be grateful that you weren't with them, that certainly would have been horrid. Honestly, though, it was bad enough what you had to endure. You are a rock.
I wish you an especially good Christmas and a Happy New Year. Yes, I bieve you were meant to live and I think anyone in your same circumstances would have done the same thing. You were young and just starting out in life-you had to live your own life. That your sister could not understand that saddens me. I am so glad you have gone on and lived your life. I would hope that is what your sister would want.
Nellieanna: This is heartbreaking. I can't imagine a sadder story. Thank you for sharing this with us and all the drama between you and your sister. How sad but how wonderful you weren't with them on that tragic night. Life is a mystery.
Dear, Nellieanna. I apologize that it has taken me so long to read your article. I have been sick, traveling, busy...you know all the excuses. But I have read other mentions of this sad story from you in the past and I made sure I saved this until I had time to give it proper respect.
None of us can ever truly understand what another person is going through considering experiences in their lives. It's hard enough to comprehend even when we are the ones who have experienced them. I can only thank you for sharing your heart and your life, good and bad, with us.
I have often considered the 'what if's' of life, and wondered how much different things might be if certain events had been avoided, especially the bad ones. Interestingly enough, in almost all cases that I can think of, if I had changed one iota, there are a plethora of good things that have come about in my life that would never have have happened had I changed any of the bad ones.
There is a reason for everything that happens in this wonderful, mysterious life. But what it is...?
Thank you my friend for sharing this with me, and I hope you know that I care!
I hope you have a very wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year. With all my love and sincerity, Wayne.
Hello Nellieanna. I am still following the comments on your brave Hub and know that you are close with Martie. The fact that the death and funeral of the humanitarian Nelson Mandella has now converged with the sixtieth anniversary of your loss seems fated. His strength is much like your strength in that you each assimilated your tragedy, refused to submit to the personal emotional pain and harnessed that strength to live a more meaningful and productive life. So many of our brethren are unable to surmount failure, tragedy and reversals in life. We simply give up. That which does not kill us somehow makes us stronger if we persevere. Nelson Mandella is the perfect symbol of human tenacity and an example of a life well-lived only as the result of an enduring hope, faith and resilience. His hope is your hope and your hope is my hope. Each of us is a cog in the wheel of the hope of humanity. Each of us can change the world for the better by our own actions and by inspiring the actions of others. Nelson Mandella did not act alone to secure equality and justice in our world but acted in unison with others. We are all connected if we choose to be. Thank you Nellieanna for sharing the beauty of your poetry and the strength and power of the written word. Your comments and our conversations are always engaging. May you receive all of the blessings of this holiday season of joy and renewal now and throughout your life. With much love, many hugs and enduring friendship. Gerry
Nellieanna yes you are so right, we must bravely keep on with life.You are a great example for us all to follow. Thank you for sharing your personal emotions and feelings with us.
Sorry for your great loss. You are very brave and courageous to overcome grief and carry on with your life. It must have been very painful and really sad. The newspaper cuttings are heart breaking, why such things should happen I really do not know. Take care, sending all my prayers for you.
To receive such awful news via radio! And all of a sudden not a single opportunity left to mend any fences... And to think you would have been with them if....
Oh, my dear, Nellieanna... !!
I think I have mentioned before that the same thing happened to close relatives of my mother while she was a child, and the memory is still one of those irreparable wounds in her soul, able to stir her into the stage where one has no other choice but to realize that Birth/Death is a power without any sense of justice.
I am so sorry for being late with my condolences. Nelson Mandela's death on the 5th and all the special events until his funeral on the 15th kept me riveted to the TV.
Dearest Nellianna,
Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your life , a part ever so tragic but impacted and molded you into who you are today. Life is such a mystery as to why some are taken from us, leaving us with such a hole and not always knowing how to fill...I do believe Harriet had such a great love for you or she would not have cared so much. Your destiny was mapped out, therefore giving you wings to fly and the strength to move forward....Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story...you are an amazing woman, writer, and friend.
Oh dear, Nellieanna-
What a hard and terrible thing to be confronted with so early in one's life. I am so, so sorry. I cannot even begin to imagine your pain and suffering, the sense of loss. What strength it took to go on, to heal, and then be able to write about it as well. God bless and keep you. Take care my dear.
Much love and hugs,
On the wings of cherubs, your three nephews, came the heaven-sent news that you were rescued from the catastrophe. God is good, all the time. Few persons have borne the grief and personal loss as have you at such a young, yet conscious age. You were transformed into the wonderful woman which you have become. Few are blessed with a second epiphany from such a traumatic and life-changing event. God continues to bless you dearest Nellieanna. I am blessed with your friendship. Hugs.
This is a heart-rending and very moving hub, Nellieanna. It's a tragic story describing a very traumatic event. I'm so sorry that you had to experience this. I admire your courage in facing the event again as you told your story. Best wishes to you, Nellieanna.
Oh dear Nellieanna , Hi. . . . what meant to be a tragedy out of exceptionally valuable five colored precious stones a mosaic named Nellieanna had surfaced. How could you do that or where from your help has come ? Though the life is trying to leave us with more questions than answers , you've cowered them all. . .
" From life's ... Messy... Mixture..." Constantly rising POETRY of blessings... Strength, inspiration to look forward a new day at a moment of getting asleep :
" Highest aspiration. Lowest tribulation. "
. . .
Perhaps not being that close , but very closed facing " tribulation" my soul has cried " From where shall my help come?" Repeating the words one more experienced I just said "I will lift up my eyes to the mountains.. My help comes from the ..." H I g h e s t ... ( I believe yours too...)
Voting up, awesome, beautiful .
Have a happy, healthy and peaceful celebration of " a great joy. "
My Dearest Nellieanna... How very very sad my friend... Losing a sister is bad enough but the way you lost her is awful.. I am at a loss of words.. nothing I can say.. but just knowing you.. here was differently a reason you had left the city.. God needed you for other things.. but its still so sad.. I am crying.. Dear One I wish i could hug you.. but I will send you hugs and much love.. you are simply a wonderful person.. God bless you my dear.
Harriet's story leaves us all at a loss for words but not for deep empathy. Your parents must have been crushed to lose a daughter, son-in -law and three grandsons in a fickle flash of fate. Your own loss was no less great and overwhelming. Yesterday was Friday the thirteenth but I am not superstitious but your story makes clear that the accident occurred on a Sunday evening. Thank you for sharing your pain and sorrow with us. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy healthy and prosperous New Year. Hugs.
Amen, write the rest of Harriet's story in peace. This is every bit the tribute you hoped it would be. Heart wrenchingly beautiful.
There are no words that can possibly convey what I feel as I read this, and no way I could ever understand the grief you met that day while listening to the radio with your friend. So much can change in an instant.
There are a dozen cliches that I would normally fall back on here. But that would be just to conceal the saddness evoked by this tragic event in your life story. It is with gratitude that I applaud your rebellious spirit.
Nellieanna, my heart bleeds for you and your lost sister, brother-in-law and their children. I can't even begin to imagine what was going through their heads as the train approached.
You have shown tremendous resilience and strength despite this tragic loss. In fact, it may be in part because of this loss that you were determined to live a long life with grace and meaning.
Thank you for sharing your story. It must have been very hard to do so.
"My own life had switched tracks dramatically."
Oh dear Nellieanna,
I came back this morning and was able to read this personal journey without crying too hard. We indeed never know what life has in store and the way in which we will carry on in spite of it all...
You are so lovely, like an onion unraveling each beautiful layer to us. Thank you and hope you will have a very peaceful weekend.
Love, Maria
Nellieanna, there is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said with great emotion and support. This was a terrible tragedy to befall your sister and her family. The closest I can come to understand the feelings and emotions that you must have experienced on hearing the news was when my youngest son heard on the radio that his best friend and his sister had been murdered. They were also our next door neighbors and he had slept at their house the previous night.
This hub was a wonderful tribute to your sister Harriet, and I'm sure she would have been proud of you. There was obviously divine intervention involved in making you leave Dallas at the time, so you would not be part of the tragedy. It was just unfortunate that your leaving upset your sister and you didn't have time to make up.
You just encouraged me about sharing personal stories on Hub Pages, and you come up with this. Well, it certainly tests out all the emotions. Very touching, and thanks for sharing.
December 14th 1953 I was a young child of 5 years. In those years TV wasn't around, well not in our house. Things that happened in the USA didn't reach Europe until years later if ever, unless the President was shot or the like had happened.
I can feel your feelings in your words and understand the fight you had with them. It doesn't get any better with time, at least I don't think so.
Take care and have a quiet, peaceful weekend.
Wow... just wow. What an intense experience, such a tragedy. It's amazing how it happens... one little choice could have changed everything. I can imagine how painful this was to share this, and thank you for it was such a beautiful story, inspiring even if heart-wrenching. My prayers are with you and your lost loved ones this week.
What a horrid tragedy, indeed. You are very brave to put it out here publicly, Nellieanna! This was a difficult read, as I wept with you; yet, you have emerged triumphant in your own confidence and as your own person.
I know full well that such things stay with us always; the sense of loss, the hole in our hearts is always there: we simply learn to keep on living in spite of the pain.
Voted up and beautiful, for you have painted a fine tribute, and I believe that is your closure, your resolution of the unfortunate split. I've no doubt your sister knows, and appreciates who you've become.


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In Pics: Taimur, Misha, AbRam and Aaradhya at Roohi-Yash's birthday
Karan Johar celebrated his twins, Yash and Roohi's birthday with the star kids of his best friends in B-town. Taimur with Kareena Kapoor, Misha with Mira Rajput, Lakshya with Tushar Kapoor, Aaradhya with Aishwarya Rai, AbRam with Shah Rukh Khan were spotted outside Karan's residence. Take a look at photos from the party here.
photos: Yogen Shah & social media

subset: commoncrawl


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Trustee Biography
Kurt A. Summers, Jr.
Appointed Trustee
Treasurer of the City of Chicago
Kurt A. Summers is a son of Chicago and a pragmatic problem solver who is passionate about serving the people of Chicago.
Chicago's newest City Treasurer is the steward of the city's $7 billion dollar investment portfolio, responsible for maintaining records and accounts of the city's finances, and an advocate for programs that promote economic growth and financial literacy.
Summers has hit the ground running: he has proposed an ambitious and audacious 90-day-plan called "Invest in Our Chicago." The document is intended to act as a roadmap, focused on leveraging Chicago's economic power to increase investment in its residents, workers, businesses and neighborhoods.
A legacy of service is rooted in everything Kurt does.
Before answering the call to serve as City Treasurer, Kurt was a Senior Vice President at Grosvenor Capital Management and a member of the Office of the Chairman. In this role, Kurt was a leader of the Emerging and Diverse Manager business, which invested over $2 Billion with minority- and women-owned firms.
Prior to joining Grosvenor, Summers served as Chief of Staff to the Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and as the appointed Trustee for the Cook County Pension Fund. Kurt led the closure of a $487 million budget deficit while keeping the administration's promise to rollback the county sales tax, saving taxpayers more than $400 million a year. He also helped pave the way for a more sustainable health and hospitals system.
Kurt answered the call to serve as Chief of Staff for Chicago 2016, the city's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The ambitious plan called for development in struggling neighborhoods and sealed Kurt's passion to help Chicago showcase all it has to offer.
Kurt currently serves on the boards of Navy Pier, Get In Chicago and as the co-chair of the Friends of Lucas Museum, in support of The George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
Directions to the Fund Office
The Fund is located on the corner of LaSalle Street and Wacker Drive in the LaSalle Wacker Building. There are several nearby parking garages; the closest is located ½ Block North in the 203 LaSalle building. Public Transportation is also a viable option as we are near several CTA bus lines, the Clark & Lake "L" stop. The office is also located within a mile of the Metra Station. Please reference Google Maps for the many available options.
Main Line
(312) 744-3891
Toll Free
(800) 656-6606
Fax (312) 726-3216
PAX 0357 or 0358


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Reach Out
Bosco Reach Out (BRO),
formed in 1983
is a
non-profit, non-political and non-religious body registered under
the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. It is the
development organization of the Selesian Province of Guwahati
committed to the integral and holistic development of the human
being and rooted in the charism of the Selesian within the church
and in the society.
: www.boscoreachout.org)
KRIPA Foundation
is the largest Non–Governmental Organization in India helping
people suffering from Chemical Dependency & HIV Infection. KRIPA
offers a non-discriminating, supportive Community Living, helping
people to introspect and bring about change in lifestyle. (Source : www.kripafoundation.org)
Health Association of India
Voluntary Health
Association of India (VHAI) is a non-profit, registered society
formed in the year 1970. It is a federation of 24 State Voluntary
Health Associations, linking together more than 4000 health care
institutions and grassroots level community health programs spread
across the country. The primary objective is to make health a
reality for the people of India by promoting community health,
social justice & human rights related to the provision and
distribution of health services in India. (Source
: www.vhai.org)
CHILDLINE is India's
first 24-hour, free, emergency phone service for children in need of
aid and assistance. CHILDLINE is a partnership platform bringing
together the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government
of India, the UNICEF, the Department of Telecommunications, street
and community youth, non-profit organisations, academic
institutions, the corporate sector and concerned individuals.
(Source : www.childlineindia.org.in)
The North Eastern Region Community
Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) is funded by the
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The overall
objective of NERCORMP is to improve the livelihood of vulnerable
groups in a sustainable manner through improved management of their
resource base in a way that contributes to preservation and
restoration of the environment. (Source : www.necorps.org/default.htm)
Rural Development Society
The Meghalaya
Rural Development Society (MRDS) was established in 22nd June 2004, to
implement the Livelihoods Improvement Project for the Himalayas in
Meghalaya, a joint venture of the International Fund for
Agricultural Development and the State Government of Meghalaya. The
primary objective of the Project is to improve the livelihood of
vulnerable groups in a sustainable manner
through the promotion of improved livelihood opportunities and
strengthening of local institutions that relate to livelihood
(Source : http://www.mrds.nic.in)
National Bank for
Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981 was passed by the Indian
Parliament and National Bank for
Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
was established on 12 July 1982 as a development Bank. NABARD
is an apex institution, accredited with all matters concerning
policy, planning and operations in the field of credit for
agriculture and other economic activities in rural areas in India. (Source :
The Meghalaya
Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd. (MCAB) was established in 1971, with the
formation of Meghalaya state after bifurcation of the erstwhile
Assam State. Since then the Bank has developed and expanded its
activities / operations and has grown manifold. MCAB started its
operations just with two branches-one each at Shillong and the other
at Tura. Today, the Bank has wide network of 40 Branches, spread
through out the State providing effective banking and other related
services to the general public in Meghalaya. (Source : http://www.apexbank.org)
Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd.
Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) was
incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, on August 9, 1995 with
its registered office at Guwahati, Assam, for the development of
industries, infrastructure, animal husbandry, agri-horticulture
plantation, medicinal plantation, sericulture plantation,
aquaculture, poultry and dairy in the North Eastern states of India.
NEDFi has been promoted by All India Financial Institutions.
(Source : http://www.nedfi.com)
The International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United
Nations, was established as an international financial institution
in 1977 as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food
Conference. The conference resolved that "an International Fund
for Agricultural Development should be established immediately to
finance agricultural development projects primarily for food
production in the developing countries". IFAD's mission is to
enable the rural poor to overcome poverty. (Source :
NEICORD is a non-profit Christian
organization responding to the needs of the poor and marginalized,
irrespective of color, race religion and gender. In November 1981, a
group of concerned Christian leaders, whose hearts were filled with
compassion came together and prayed to seek and address to the needs
of the suffering of the poor and marginalized. As a result of this
prayer, the "North East India Committee On Relief &
Development" (NEICORD) was born. (Source :
Samrakshan is a
registered non-profit organisation working in India for
sustainable livelihoods for forest dependent communities and
ensuring a kinder world for non human animals. A salient feature
of Samrakshan's work is to foster future conservation and
development leaders from among the local population. Samrakshan's
team stationed in South Garo Hills in Meghalaya is working towards
creating a "win-win" situation for the Asian elephant
that shares its habitat with the Garo people. (Source
: http://www.samrakshan.org)
RGVN has been in the
"development" sector for more than a decade. RGVN's aim
has always been to improve the quality of life of the poor -
"food", "clothing" and "shelter", a
prerequisite to it. The NGO Support Program and the Credit and
Savings Program has been able to cater to the first two requirements
of a better quality of life. Rural development not only encompasses
livelihood promotion but an overall improvement in the living
conditions of the poor ….. , and "shelter" is one of the
important development indicators. (Source
: http://www.rgvnindia.org)
more ...................


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Supreme Court Rules Auto Service Advisers Are Exempt From Overtime
April 2, 2018
On April 2, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that auto service advisers (also commonly referred to as "service writers") are exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA").
Read More >
California Supreme Court Adopts Employee-Friendly Test For Calculating Overtime On Flat-Sum Bonuses
March 13, 2018
The California Supreme Court has adopted an employee-friendly test for calculating the
overtime due on a non-discretionary, flat-sum bonus.
Read More >
Overtime Averaging: No Notice, No Harm, No Foul
November 9, 2017
In a recent decision, the Divisional Court refused to grant damages to a terminated employee for an employer's failure comply with legislative requirements regarding overtime averaging.
Read More >
DOL Appeals Overtime Rule Decision
November 1, 2017
The U.S. Department of Labor filed notice with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Monday, October 30th, appealing the decision that blocked implementation of the overtime rule that would have more-than-doubled the salary threshold for exempt employees.
Read More >
DOL Overtime Rule Struck Down
August 31, 2017
A Texas federal court has struck down the Obama-era Department of Labor (DOL) revised overtime exemption rule, which sought to more than double the salary level required for overtime-exempt workers.
Read More >
Good News On The DOL's Overtime Rules - We Go Back To The Drawing Board!
August 29, 2017
The overtime rule published in 2016 by the Department of Labor ("DOL") that significantly increased the minimum salary necessary to qualify for the white-collar and highly compensated overtime exemptions will be changed under the DOL's new leadership.
Read More >
Arbitration Award Consistent with the One Day Rest in Seven Act
August 15, 2017
In Mondelez Global LLC v. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District No. 8, an employer prohibited its unionized employees from working seven consecutive days without a 24-hour rest period.
Read More >
US DOL Seeks Input on Overtime Rule
August 11, 2017
President Trump's administration has finally taken some action on the Obama-era Department of Labor Overtime Rule. Since inauguration day, employers nationwide have wondered what would become of the controversial overtime rule.
Read More >
Changes to Overtime Rule Appear Inevitable
July 31, 2017
Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published an official request for information (RFI), seeking input on alternatives to the 2016 overtime rule proposed by the former administration.
Read More >
Overtime Rule Salary Threshold is Dead But Issue is Not
July 6, 2017
Last year, the Department of Labor (DOL) under the Obama administration promulgated a rule that increased the salary threshold a worker must make to qualify as exempt from overtime from $455/week to $913/week ($47,476 per year). Businesses and states successfully challenged the rule as exceeding DOL's authority and a Texas court blocked the rule just days before the new rule was to go into effect.
Read More >
Will Private Employees Have the Option of Comp Time?
June 30, 2017
In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA") implemented basic wage and hour protections in the form of a 40-hour standard workweek and employee entitlement to one-and-a-half times their regular rate for hours worked beyond that. What the FLSA does not touch, however, is a subject that both employers and employees care about almost as much as compensation: paid time off.
Read More >
Update On DOL Overtime Rule
May 16, 2017
Remember the new overtime rule adopted by the Department of Labor (DOL) that significantly raised the minimum salary requirement necessary to exempt from overtime many white-collar employees (specifically executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees)?
Read More >
Feb 21
Yes, Unions Discriminate Against Workers Too: https://t.co/di4d1fkfRb
Feb 21
New @SHRM Court Report: Transfer May Be an Adverse Employment Action: https://t.co/yccRid6veQ
Feb 20
New @SHRM Court Report: FLSA Claims Go to Trial: https://t.co/zUehMuOvOl


text:
Two British nuclear engineers, husband and wife, live near the seaside in a modest cottage assigned to them following a nearby nuclear disaster in the plant where they used to work. A former colleague drops by unexpectedly after 38 years, seemingly just to catch up, but it turns out she has a shocking proposal that not only puts a "past due" stamp on their own their lives, but has the power to affect the lives of generations to come.
Texte Lucy Kirkwood
Mise en scène Eda Holmes
Avec Geordie Johnson, Laurie Paton et Fiona Reid
Crédits supplémentaires et autres informations
Décors et costumes Eo Sharp
Éclairages Bonnie Beecher
Une présentation du Centaur Theatre, coproduction Canadian Stage


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8 Celebrity Tricks for Getting Rid of Pimples
If you read our recent roundtable discussion on acne, you know that many of us are unfortunately familiar with the perils of blemishes at Byrdie HQ. It's during this discussion that we dive into our emotional and physical relationship with acne: how it shaped our adolescent and teenage years as well as our 20s. We discuss feeling like the only people who have acne in a sea of porcelain-skinned peers and the inevitable embarrassment that harvests itself.
Working in the beauty industry, we've learned that many celebrities face this same issue—they're not exempt from acne just because they're famous. Selfishly, knowing this comforts us and makes us feel less like outcasts. We take their product recommendations and tricks to heart, as we literally see them working right before our eyes in glossies, on their Instagram pages, and on the silver screen. And below, we've compiled some of their best acne-clearing advice in hopes of also having a complexion fit for the red carpet. Keep scrolling to learn more.
She's a facialist to some of the biggest models in the biz (i.e. Irina Shayk, Miranda Kerr), so we can't say we were surprised when Lindsay Ellingson told us that Ildi Pekar is her go-to for fixing her skin woes. One of Pekar's recommendations to the supermodel was to make a DIY mask of honey and mango to clear and brighten the skin. Just mash a few squares of mango into 1 tablespoon of raw honey and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing. Blemished skin will look noticeably smoother and more radiant.
"I've struggled with acne around the chin ever since I was a teenager. We associate acne with teenage years, which is absolutely the case. I have an 18-year-old stepdaughter who, I look at her, and she has beautiful skin, but I always think, Oh, I remember those days!" Kate Bosworth told us in an exclusive interview. Bosworth has found solace in Aczone, a prescription-only acne cream, after cleansing and before moisturizing at night.
The Hills alum told us that pregnancy ignited quite a few flare-ups on her face, so she "rediscovered" her Clarisonic, which made a "huge difference" in her skin's appearance.
Kylie Jenner shared on her Snapchat (where else?) that her favorite pimple banisher is Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion. She dips a Q-Tip right into the pink base of the bottle and dabs it onto her blemishes for an overnight fix.
The former Miss Universe mixes five pumps of this oral supplement mixed in 2–4 ounces of water both morning and night to heal the skin from the inside out. This also works on eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Check out Culpo's guest post on Byrdie for more of her skin-clearing tips.
Gigi Hadid swears by a dollop of toothpaste on a pimple to dry it out. While this may be the case (think hotel emergency treatment), we vote for a less harsh fix, like these awesome tried-and-true spot treatments.
K.Stew is no stranger to breakouts. The actress tells us in an exclusive interview that she loves SkinCeuticals' serums to help reverse the issue, especially the company's Blemish + Age Defense serum.
What's your go-to zit-zapper? Tell us below!


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I just heard from a reliable source in Canada, who in turn, had heard from BMW overseas, via telephone, that the 'Performance Package' is expected to be ready by late summer, late September 2006 or thereabouts.
I was told to call my individual dealer to order the PerfPkg.
There are some strings attached though . . . not so good news for anyone who has modified their car in any way. BMW will not install the PerfPkg if there are any modifications to the car. I think original wheels may have also been mentioned, but I cannot be certain of that fact.
So please . . . find out about your individual case, hopefully you still have the original parts.
There was no mention of damaged cars as to whether this would fix them or not. I'm assuming & hoping that it will.
Overall, this is good news!!


text:
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Video: Drake Bounced At Miami Heat Locker Room Last NIght
A feisty game it was last night as Miami Heat clashed with San Antonio Spurs in game 7 and final game of the NBA Playoffs for 2013. Heat actually won that game and LeBron James (Heat) was crowned MVP.
As to the main gist because the above are just rhetoric. Drake seems to be good friends with LeBron and so after the night's game, he decided to join LeBron in the locker room to celebrate but unfortunately, he was bounced because he didn't have a media pass but trust the dude that claimed to have started from the bottom, he said afterwards ""I am fucking media." Then the camera trails away, into the festive locker room.
check out the video below.....
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Browse Archives
Producer 101 – Why Indie Films can't find Screen Space..
2.82K Views0 Comments1 Likes
One of the most important books released each year is the BFI Statistical Yearbook. This publication gives an accurate picture of the state of the film industry in the UK and how UK films perform abroad.
Meet Pursuit Delange
1.03K Views0 Comments1 Likes
Meet Pursuit Delange tells the story of three old school friends who are forced by circumstance to live together in genteel poverty in an old groundsman's hut tacked onto the back of a ramshackle cricket pavilion. ...


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Contact Us
Hong Kong Movie
Romance Comedy
143 Minutes
What is Multi-Lingual DVDs?
Director: Joe Ma
Starring: Anita
Yuen, Choi Siu Fun, Lau Ching Wan, Paulyn Sun
A movie about the movies, "The Golden Girls" is a
romantic comedy that follows the lives of screenwriter Chun Wai (Lau
Ching Wan) and two actresses who are best friends, glamorous Lulu (Ada
Choi Siu-Fun) and the "plain" Mei Ball (Anita Yuen).
This is not only one of the best films of 1995,
but one of the most beautiful romantic comedies ever made in Hong Kong.
It's a romantic comedy movie all about the movies. Lau Ching Wan is Chun
Wai, screenwriter involved with two actresses: he finds himself livinng
with the glamorous Lulu (Ada Choi) but he's in love with her best
friend, the far more talented Mei Ball (Anita Yuen).
The film follows the three of them through
increasing success, spanning the mid 60s to the mid 70s. Lau Ching Wan
is in love with Mei but ends up with Lulu instead. Mei, not finding
success in the film industry at first, leaves to marry her cousin but
soon comes back, only to find success playing male roles.
Golden Girls is about the relationships between
these characters. The drama comes from Chun Wai's continued pursuit of
Mei, even as he is with Lulu. The film is far from all serious. It uses
its inside view of the film industry to make numerous jokes about film,
producers, directors, and actors.
This film is graced by gorgeous sets (after all,
this is the movies) and wonderful colors. The film is shot in a way that
somehow feels very 60s, particularly in the colors of the film (as
opposed to the sets). There are also some hilarious costumes and hairdos
that make us wonder just what they were thinking in the 70s (see Boogie
Nights). Anita Yuen is simply fantastic: moving, funny, silly, complex:
she can show you a whole range of emotions crossing her face, in one
simple close-up. Her chemistry with Lau Ching Wan is perfect.
This sly romantic comedy about the HK film
business, gets the DVD version it deserves. The DVD version we sell has
very good image quality, good sound, removable subtitles, a theatrical
trailer, and info on Lau Ching Wan.
This is not only one of the best films of 1995,
but one of the most beautiful romantic comedies ever made in Hong Kong.
It has genuine charm and a level of sophistication rarely equalled in
contemporary Asian cinema. The film beautifully captures its era; it is
a truly "swinging" comedy.
List Price: US $19.95
Price: US$8.95
Price: US$8.95
Cantonese / Mandarin
English / Traditional Chinese
/ Simplified Chinese
All Regions
(Can be played on any DVD player in the
Letter Box
Cantonese / Mandarin
English / Traditional Chinese
/ Simplified Chinese
All Regions
(Can be played on any DVD player in the
Letter Box
"May be Inappropriate For Children" (Broad
rating may be roughly equal to an MPPA rating of
"PG-13" to "R". In the late 1980s
this rating splintered in two ratings: IIA and IIB) Films
rated Category II may contain mild to strong violence,
language and adult situations.