I have a serious flaw.

I have a serious flaw. I believe that because my way of life has always been based on honesty and believing in the "other guy". I soon found out that this was to be my downfall.

I continued to book weddings that I knew Al could do very well. I never did tell you of some of my techniques in some sales. For several years, I started a new way of saying "thank you" to anyone who came to discuss using us as their wedding photographer. After each interview, I sent a blue garter ribbon in one of those "money cards"and a letter thanking the couple for visiting us and this was just a gift to show our appreciation of their interest (or words to that effect).

When a wedding was booked, we always suggested a unique gift for both male and female attendants. We sold a choice of two kinds of 4x5 folders where a single photograph was taken of each one for one side and the group wedding party on the other. I would wrap each one in silver paper and tie it with a bow and a flower the color of their wedding. They would return it so we could put in their selection. Just something else for me to do. But it was very popular.

I realized I had a little over a year to go on our lease, and had to think of what to do with all of our equipment and inventory of frames, mailing boxes, etc. In the meantime I had an awesome task of finding a portrait photographer to finish Emmanuel's 35th year. I had already ordered a zipper large flat case with their emblem on it for each student whether they made an order or not.

I asked those who had become "masters" from adjourning areas to visit me and offered a good fee to photograph the girls. I also called some of the best students Mel had since he had small classes for ten years. TO A MAN: the usual comment after seeing the samples all around was:" I cannot do that kind of work!" I was amazed. It never occurred to me that once they saw Mel's every day photography, they would be overwhelmed. Finally, one gentleman from the south of us agreed to buy the equipment and do the photography, if I would allow our name be added to his, and once it went to his studio that I agree to educate him and his staff as to quality selling a few days a week for a fee.

I agreed, and I offered to pay HIM $100.00 a day regardless of how many sittings he did (sometimes it was only one - the average was four). I knew I would be loosing money if the purchases were not as good, but I had to keep faith with Emmanuel. I helped the girls make up and helped with certain poses. Mel got everything on the negative, Now I had to have the lab crop and do other things to make them nice - this was new for me to do.

But the worse was the way those who did the "additional" weddings already booked - billed ME. In those days it was usually $100.00 (for a full wedding) plus the cost of film, an assistant and mileage. Suddenly,I was getting basic bills for $400.00 PLUS. I never argued, and just paid what they asked. I began to see the light, I was being taken for a ride - a nice Loooong ride! You will soon see it did not end there.

I attended the Convention after Mel's death since his picture was on the cover of the book, and I stood with others who won the National Award in prior years. I was asked by the owner of the Color Lab to come the New England Convention as his guest where he introduced me to a man I knew briefly and who was having financial problems. After talking to him for awhile, I realized he needed real help even though he was Mel's age and in business for a long time.

We had a meeting and it was arranged that I would come to his studio twice a week to start to update his price list and give ideas in selling. This gentleman was to the north of me in Salem (yes where the witches house is), and the other man was to the south of me where I did just about the same things. Nice long drives to each to start my new career.

During the first year of closing the main studio, I was hit again with the sale of the building where I did the finishing, and where the Black and White Lab and about a million negatives were stored. With all of these changes hitting me at once, I was in a mess!

I hired some high school boys to remove the negatives to my basement - in numerical order.

This was Gordon's first year in California and I received an emergency phonecall from a hospital there to get my permission to operate - his appendix had burst. I made arrangements to fly out immediately and to this day, I do not know how I did so much in such a short time.

Gordon almost died and the nursing was not adequate. Even the Dr. was upset and I complained to the head nurse. By this time, the surgeon asked me to stay and care for my son. His one room apartment was very cute and very empty except for his bed and a fork or spoon. As soon as he was transfered, I went to a K-Mart and bought some essentials plus a card table and two chairs. Oh, -- all on credit cards. Are we having any fun yet?

After three weeks (of spending money and receiving none) I returned home where Social Security was urging me to accept money now that I was 62. I refused since Mel was sole owner of our business and I had stopped working elsewhere a long time before. I said I would wait until I became 65.

I purchased a large shed for our backyard, had it painted same as my house to store what I had to remove to keep the negatives safe. I tried so hard to do what was best for all. I put ads in many newspapers selling negatives and color previews (proofs) for very little money included shipping as well. I did everything I could to keep up a nine-room house!

I had no idea that the younger couple we met at the lake (who enjoyed travel to many states) kept in touch with me at Mel's request. The father's day before he passed away, we were together at the RV campground and I gather that is when Mel asked Mary to have me move wherever they were. I was invited all over the country, but was too busy trying to keep myself going.

It was now 1990, and I was working very long hours at each place -without added pay. Each one's sales grew by leaps, and I was asked to sell weddings and student orders at each studio. Sometimes I would not get home until after midnight.

I visited Gordon as often as I could, and this one time, Mary invited the two of us to see their new home in Arizona (of all places) for an overnight.

My confrontation with insurmountable events were just beginning.

The next chapter will bring you through more trials. Again I say: "Are we having any fun yet?"

Thanks for reading, Marian