Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Oscar


The enthusiasm of my own Newlywed Days matched the excitement in my heart of having my very first job as a receptionist in the Trust Department of the Traverse City State Bank. Honeymoon Wardrobe carefully selected each day to make the best impression. Appreciative glances from the customers I would usher into the offices of the department's lawyers.


Lunch hour of my own, I loved to window shop along Front Street, the turquoise waters of Traverse Bay glimpsed between buildings, paycheck hoped fors changing with each new something that caught my eye. A sidewalk bench overlooking the view became the place to eat my sack lunch and admire other passersby.



This was how I came to know Oscar. A simple open face that had never known a frown, a gentle soul who found joy in making others smile. Bib overalls his daily uniform, a cap with ear flaps folded up on sunny days, a grocery sack rolled down many times always carried in his hands. With each person Oscar would greet, he would unroll his sack and offer a piece of candy. Wishes for a wonderful day, Oscar would be on his way.


Reception Desk typing, phone answering, client ushering, busy to near distraction,  there was Oscar sitting in my waiting area his rolled sack on the floor by his feet. Oscar greeted me with his now familiar smile and said, "I have an appointment."


For all the days I would work at Traverse City State Bank, I too would become one of the many individuals who looked out for the welfare of Oscar. Siblings eager to leave their humble farm origins and the care of Oscar to their aging parents now wanted Oscar committed to the city's mental institution thereby giving them control of all that had been left to Oscar. It seems the mineral rights of the vast acreage of the farm had made Oscar a very wealthy man. For all of Oscar's days, his every need would be provided for, his rolled down sack never empty of candy.

 

12 comments:

Joanne said...

Awww Oscar sounds like an gentle sweet soul! Did his brothers and sisters manage to put him in that place? I think that is awful! Thank God he had you and others to care and look out for him!
Blessings, Joanne

Jane said...

Such a sweet story! So good that Oscar had friends to look out for him - a happier, gentler time.
Jane-Jacksonville

ShabbyESP said...

I love to read your stories and see the creations you so lovingly do.
Traverse City State Bank.....I remember the bank it was right next door to Montgomery Ward where my parents worked.
Thanks for bringing back sweet memories.
Suzann ~xoxo~

Angela said...

What years were you there, Elizabeth? I lived in Kalkaska in the 70's and shopped on Front Street so often. What a lovely place.

annemarie said...

Great post and love the owls - how appropriate they are at this time of the year.

Ina said...

THank you. I hope Oscar remained a free man to the end. ;0

Celestial Charms said...

Beautiful owls! Oscar sounds like one of those people, who touch so many lives. I'm sure a little bit of him resides in many peoples memories...
Maureen

Lynn said...

It is so sad what the greed of money will do to a family. I thank God that you and others were there to take of the Oscar and his needs. I love your newest creations. Those little owls are too cute.
Hugs.
Lynn

My Vintage Mending said...

That is the sweetest card ever...love it with the acorns and all! And a sweet little story to match. Wonderful...smiles..Renee

Ninni said...

Hi,

YOu have the most wonderful blog! Each morning when I come towork, I start off by reading it. And if I find a post, I know it will be a good day. Cause my heart fills with such joy.
Times when I dont have time to read it the first thing I do, I am eagerly waiting for my moment of creative breathing.
Hope you will continue...
Hugs from Carina in Sweden

Mhairi said...

I am in love. Oscar is the cutest owl I have seen. He is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing and brightening up my day.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love it when you talk about Traverse! I have a couple of young girlfriends who are working there now and they talk about it and the people there on their facebooks. :)

Here in my tiny mountain town we have our little man Mike. He visits all the local businesses and he invited himself to our picnic recently. He said, "Hi, my name's Mike. Yeah, I like it when I'm walking through town and someone calls out, Hey, Mike! I like that." :) From what I can tell everyone in town loves him and gives him little jobs to do.

Elizabeth, Your little dotty mushrooms are sooo cute! Thanks so much for linking up with me this week! I'm so glad I finally figured out how to install the linky. It took me 2 weeks but I did it! ♥