For quite awhile, Mel had been testing for different prospects to become an apprentice, but none ever worked out. When we were teaching at Winona to quite a large group of young men, Mel mentioned that he was looking for one willing to come to Mass. and train with him.

There were two (out of many) who said they were interested, and both from quite a distance. We wanted to be sure there were no commitments from their area and we selected one from Rochester, NY ( a 7, 8 hour drive). I will call him GP since I do not want to mention full names to protect their privacy. He arrived late 1971 with us giving him room and board plus a small salary.

However, after only a few days, he announced he had diabetes and to give himself a shot every day. He then gave me his menu of what he could and could not eat. I found myself making four lunches now. I changed my dinner menus which was not too difficult since we did not eat much of his "no-nos" as well.

But after three months, he confessed he was about to give his girlfriend a ring, and would be married in Aug of 1973. We met the family of his "in-laws" when they came to Boston on business and found them to be quite nice and let's say : not hurting for money. We were treated quite well, and I started to correspond with GP's girlfriend.

I tell you this since it plays an important part of 1972. Mel found him to take directions well and was a good potential. He took care of important photographic emergencies when we were on a lecture. He became a good companion to me at times when Mel could not have dinner out (no - no hanky-panky. He was over 24 years my junior).

I left you with news I was to entertain all of my parent's family and friends on Aug. 29th. - to celebrate their 50th anniversary. My Dad explained that there were going to be quite a few invited, and that he would hire a well-known caterer in the area. PHEWW!! But we arranged to have the entire backyard covered by two huge tents. I felt in my bones that it would rain or be very hot - so we rented large standing fans to be placed at four corners, and the area between the tents also to be covered. We had 12 foot square rugs from the days we spent at the Boston Home Shows - which I left out in my story so far - and I made them be put on the grass. I just knew there would be high humidity or rain. I also knew the women would be coming in heels and gowns. We also rented chairs and three round tables.

I was right about it all DARN It! I had added more flowers to my rose garden which lead to the backyard -- not seen by many. I arranged to a have two young men who did our lawn that year to have umbrellas ready and help these older folks over the walkway to the tent. My husband laughed at me, but I was oh so right on! GP went home to visit that weekend, and we had another friend take the candids.

Gordon set up a PA system for music and later for my Dad to make a speech. HE WAS SOO HAPPY! We had to clear our garage since there is a door at the back onto the backyard and was perfect for the caterers to set up. They used my Laundry room (lead into the garage) for the dessert. So the special music, everything went very well.

We had several engagements to speak into 1973, but my father was not doing that well. I guess this troubled my husband, and since GP was there, put himself into a hospital for a week for a complete checkup. By this time GP had given his lady a ring, and the wedding was set for Aug. She came in by plane with her gown, and Mel took her pre-bridal photographs. She was a tiny lovely girl and we became fast friends. GP and she decided to look for an apartment in our area, and I tried to help. But I had a strange feeling it was all a show and they did not intend to move to continue his being a bigger part of our studio.

April is usually Passover time. I adore that holiday and no one made fresh food the way my mother did. We had GP as a guest and was glad he was there. Before he studied photography, he was an Emergency expert on an ambulance and my father was sometimes using oxygen. During dinner, he said he had to have and get it, and GP put it on him.

My mother discovered Dad was hiding a hernia - a big one and since he never had an operation and was too frightened for one, kept it quiet. The Dr. insisted and on the table, Dad had his 9th Coronary. We took turns staying with him while recovering. I remember so clearly watching our beloved Red Sox, and Dad just would look at the TV, then at me and smile. A few days later, Mel and I dropped in the hospital on our way home from work (GP had his own car) and the Dr. said it would not be long. I peeked in, and Dad looked at me, lifted his hand from beneath the covers and waved with a little smile. I learned later that he instructed the Doctors to remove all medications and that it was time to just - "go". That night he passed away with my mother shaking and screaming at him not to leave her alone (told to us by the nurse).

There was a convention all paid for and we asked our top candid photographer (and closest friend to my husband) to go with GP . The funeral was huge, but honestly I do not remember it all that well. I decided to stay the week of mourning at my parent's home and slept in my father's bed. During the day, I sat in his "thinking" chair - a big wing back_ and just spent the entire day curled up in that chair. There were so many people coming - and a few remarked how much I was like my father, and my mother would glare! My sister's children were 7 and 11 then and she came once in awhile since her pharmacy husband had to continue to keep his store open.

My parents had all twin beds, and my mother had moved into my sister's bed quite a few years before my father's death. She had physical ailments as well and it made it easier for them to live that way.

By this time, GP, after this period of mourning, said he was leaving and wanted Mel to be the official photographer and wanted me to help his fiance. The period between April and August is not that clear, but by the time came for us to drive to Rochester with our 15-year old son, we continued our schedules be it working or preparing for new conventions coming up.

The hotel was right beside an old friend we met a PPA events and they entertained us as well as GP's family and his girl 's family. The wedding went very well. I stayed at her apartment to help her get dressed and then I got dressed - something in a petite size 5. Boy, I loved that dress. I have a favorite picture of Mel and me dancing at the wedding and - by gum - one way or another, I plan to show it to you all. They were very sweet to give me an orchid corsage, and all of the parties were fun, BUT- during the ceremony when the minister says: " does anyone object, etc", there was a HUGE and I mean HUGE clap of thunder with a long light flash. No rain ------ but I thought to myself:

THIS HAS GOT TO MEAN SOMETHING!

AND IT DID! -------- next chapter

Hope you all get to read this and I will try to write more often. Thanks to all, Marian