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Marshall
Janice Marshall
IRS
8/10/1999
Thank you for contacting me. I must admit
I was unaware that your mother had passed away and am very
sorry to receive the news. It's strange how my thoughts just
kept assuming that Annabelle would be in Honolulu whenever
I returned for a visit. But life is very uncertain at best
and I have lost several dear friends in the last few years;
as they say, it's a sign of getting older. Just the same,
it is hard to cope with the passage of time.
Let me tell you that I met your mother
in the mid-80's, on her first trip to Los Angeles. She had
been recently chosen as the new International Specialist in
Hawaii. This was a new job that she was very proud to be selected
to do. She came to Los Angeles for our group meeting and her
first phase of training. She was very apprehensive because
she would be the only international specialist so far from
the rest of us on the mainland.
I had been doing this work since 1983
and was well aware that it takes a year or two to get used
to the vast amount of information required to perform the
work. I remember telling her that she would be in "shell
shock" for at least a year or so. I told her that she
should not worry because we would all be available to help
her or find someone who could. Well, she did just fine. From
time to time we contacted each other on issues. I helped her;
she helped me. And I got to see her when she returned to Los
Angeles for additional training.
As you mentioned in your letter, your
mom was very kind, loving, and hardworking. I had the opportunity
to experience her kindness in the late 80's when I visited
Honolulu on a Job. She met me for lunch and later arranged
to have no less than the Branch Chief take us on a drive around
Diamond Head. It was breathtaking. I remember her giggling
about the wondrous things Hawaii had to offer. How pleased
and proud she was to show off such beauty.
Later I made a second trip to Honolulu
with a girlfriend to soak up the sun. Your momma was so kind.
She insisted that she and your Dad take both of us ladies
out for dinner. I can still remember the evening breeze blowing
wildly on a truly picture perfect evening. Again she was happy
and so exuberant about her home. It was such a great experience
for me. And she was so kind.
Around 1989-90, I began planning to relocate
from Los Angeles to Atlanta, Georgia. I had family there and
wanted to be closer to them. I had had difficulty arranging
the transfer. She was very supportive and even introduced
me to several people whom she fek could be of assistance.
She didn't have to do that. She didn't have to take the time
or bother. But she did. That was the kind and generous nature
she had.
I finally achieved my job transfer in
1993. Since that time I have not been back to Los Angeles
or to Hawaii, although I think of it very often with fond
memories made better by Annabelle's kindness and generosity.
I have been sending Christmas cards but not regularly the
last few years. That's probably why we got out of touch. But
I did tell her that there was a standing invitation to visit
and stay with me in Atlanta if she made it here. And that
is why my thoughts kept telling me that she would be there
the next time I went to Hawaii. Because once you make a good
friend they are always there for you even if you are not constantly
in touch.
I will always think of Annabelle when
I think of Hawaii or see ads or pictures of Waikiki or Diamond
Head. I will remember it as a place where I have a wonderful
friend and I'll see her smiling and laughing with the wind
blowing in her hair. It's a good memory and I feel very fortunate.
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