Rena, My Eternal Love

By Jack Gilley

Jack and Rena Gilley first met as small children and were ultimately married May-27, 1954, a year after Jack was discharged from the army. The story covers the war & 56+ years of their life together which portrays the love that grows stronger with each passing day.
The story covers highlights of the Gilley family (with two children) living abroad for more than ten years where they spent time in Libya and Brazil (Their son was born in Libya in 1959) where Jack worked for TI-GSI. After reassignment to Dallas headquarters in 1967 Jack traveled throughout the world visiting/inspecting their operations before resigning to attend their family business started in 1970.
It also covers two tours of duty Jack served in Korea before discharge in 1953. In 1951 while in a military hospital in Japan, a wounded soldier from his brothers unit (The 187th Airborne) in the adjacent bed told him the unit incurred heavy casualties. Jack got an early release to search for his brother (during convalescence leave) who he feared had been killed. It is truly an unbelievable story. It also covers their time in Brazil during the military takeover in the 1960s and time in Libya during the Mid-East war where the families were evacuated to Malta.
The story covers the starting of Gilley Properties Inc., a land development and building business in 1970 that included six land developments. The building business employed their family members and many long term sub-contractors who worked for them 20+ years. A second business Five Star Industries Inc. was started in 1997.
The story covers an exciting life of love, world travels & war. Jack retired at the age of 55, but remained active in the family business. He and RENA have been married 56-plus years...

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456759124

Jack Gilley

He is a mild mannered family man, but one whose life has been filled with exciting events that most people of the world only read or dream about. As the youngest child in a family of 14 children born in 1932, he spent the early years of his life on a farm near Vinita, Oklahoma. The extremely close family ties remained intact throughout the years. He volunteered for the Army on June 11, 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War. He spent two tours of duty in Korea prior to his discharge in 1953. In early 1951while in a hospital in Japan, a wounded soldier from the 187th Airborne was placed in the bed next to him. The soldier, who was in his brother Troys Platoon, told him the unit had heavy casualties. Jack got an early release from the hospital and spent his convalescence leave searching Korea to find his brother who he feared had been killed. Luckily he found his brother alive and spent time with him. The events of the search and meeting were almost unbelievable. He spent 25 years working in the oil exploration industry. He and his family spent ten+ years on International assignments before re-assignment to the Dallas headquarters of TI-GSI, his employer. He resigned from TI-GSI in 1976 since Gilley Properties Inc., the family business started in 1970 had grown to the point it required his full attention. It ultimately included six housing developments plus the home building business where he was company president. In 1996, a 2nd family business named Five-Star Industries Inc. was started and rapidly grew to number-2 size in the DFW area behind BFI. Jack retired many years ago at the age of 55, but remained active in life. He and RENA have been married more than 56 years.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A

DREAM

Of

TERROR!

_____________________

This was a dream or hallucination (I’m not sure which) that occurred during the period after surgery when my recovery wasn’t certain. I have since wondered whether it was a dream or a peek into reality of the future.

_____________________

It was a rainy, bleak, dreary day with low ground level clouds. Rena and I were at a cemetery.

It was one located in the country near Estella, Oklahoma where the Gilley family had lived during the first few years of my life. My two brothers had been buried there after the house fire where I had been so severely injured when I was about 11years old. Dad was also buried there after his death many years later.

Rena and I walked slowly toward a long black limousine with neither of us saying a word or looking at each other. A uniformed driver opened the door, and we entered in silence. We rode along for a period of time in total silence without looking at each other.

When I finally looked over at Rena, she was staring into space as if she was in a trance. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. It was one of the most touching moments I had ever experienced in my life.

I put my arms around her and explained that it was all right, that I loved her dearly and would always be beside her. I truly didn’t know what to say because I had never seen her in such a dejected, lonely state.

She still continued to stare into space without acknowledging anything I said. I thought that was strange, because there would normally have been a look, a hug and a squeeze of the hand in acknowledgment.

Then I took out my handkerchief, and with my arm around her, started to wipe away the tears while assuring her that we would be all right, and that we always had each other. It was only then, that I realized the tears were still streaming down her cheeks, and none of my efforts to wipe them away seemed to matter.

I was totally panicked and struck with terror. It was the most agonizing, lonely feeling that I could possibly imagine. It is beyond my ability to describe.

There is truly no way to describe in words, the total panic that rushed through me. I am certain that a person would have to experience the same terrifying look from the person they loved more than life itself to understand.

I firmly believe that no person could possibly understand the feeling, the terror & panic unless they had experienced something similar. It is not a feeling of terror for yourself but for the person that you love so dearly.

I have faced death on numerous occasions. Frankly, while I may have been scared to some degree, there was never any feeling of horror, panic and total despair. I truly don’t believe that any person who has not experienced such a situation, whether real or a dream could ever understand the total panic and desperation that occurs.

I was Absolutely Terrified. As I choked and desperately tried to comfort her, and tell her how much I loved her, she continued to look ahead, and the tears continued to flow.

Nothing I could do would ever again change the lonely, forlorn look or erase the agony she was feeling.

It was then, that I realized she was alone, and that never again, in the life on earth, would we ever speak the gentle words I love you to each other.

If there is a hell, this must be it, because it would be difficult to imagine anything more agonizing or terrifying than the feeling I had at that moment.

How I wished that I had not wasted all the opportunities throughout our life together to say I love you at every available opportunity? If only we could turn back the clock.

_____________________

And then… We were in an area of gentle rolling hills with green meadows and beautiful flowers.

There was a gentle background music that Rena & I always enjoyed so much. We walked along hand in hand like silhouettes for hours. There was no discussion, just a gentle walk in a beautiful serene area…

I couldn’t possibly imagine much less describe, a more peaceful serene setting, or be more content…nor do I ever remember being so happy. It was as though we had started up a long gentle hill toward an eternity in time. All I can remember is if there is a heaven, this has to be it.

It was as though I had just been on a long journey from the nightmarish depths and agony of hell to the peaceful tranquility of heaven.

_____________________

The significance of the journey and its effect on me finally started to focus in my mind. I was never afraid of death, and that is still true for my own life and feelings. But, the vivid picture of My Darling Rena and the forlorn look of total inner agony plus the feeling of loneliness that I saw in the nightmare instilled a terror that I’ve never felt, before or since. The thought of her and the terrible impact my death would place on her terrifies me.

I am thoroughly convinced the good lord gave women the ability to cope with such matters far better than men. I know that if anything ever happened to her before my death it would be Totally Devastating to me. I simply don’t have the strength of life & endurance that Rena has.

The nightmare, whether real or not, has given me reason for a strong commitment to do everything in my power to preserve my own health and longevity to ensure that she will not have to endure the agony I observed. Hopefully, we will depart this life together.

One thing is very clear to all of us. That is, that we will all die at some point in our lives. The thing that is not clear at all is when it will occur. Thank God.

_____________________

The question in my mind will always be

WAS it A

DREAM

Or

Was it a "VISION"?

Or

"Perhaps it was simply a PEEK"

Into Future "REALITY"

… Only time will tell…

_____________________

It was a result of the dream (or vision…I’m truly not sure which) that has prompted a serious thought process of my life.

As those thoughts wondered through my mind during the recovery period, it ultimately prompted me to put them in writing. I wanted to convey to our children the tremendous love their mother and I shared during our lifetime together.

_____________________

Chapter 2

Reflections on the

Gilley Life

The event that forever changed the course of what was considered to be a normal life…

_____________________

Rena and I had just celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary on Memorial Day weekend. We had been planning to crank up our 40 foot Pegasus Motor Coach (Parked in a bus garage built into our home) and head out for a leisurely trip.

Unfortunately however, as a result of several business appointments that had arisen during the past week, we felt it would be best to postpone it to a later date. There simply wouldn’t be enough time to take the long leisurely trip we had planned.

Additionally, I hadn’t been feeling all that chipper for the past few weeks and started thinking that a peaceful or relaxing rest at a local hotel may be more appropriate.

As a result, we decided to check in at the Westin Galleria Hilton for the 3 day holiday weekend. Since it is an integral part of a very large shopping mall, it would enable Rena to do some leisurely shopping. Additionally, it would provide some time to laze around & read, watch TV or do a bit of work on the laptop.

The large room also had small dining table so perhaps we would just order room service and sleep to our hearts content if we wanted.

Over the years, we had spent a long weekend at the hotel on many occasions. It had become one of our favorite and most relaxing ways of getting a mini-vacation and coming back home relaxed and ready to face the world. It is just a good way to have a weekend vacation without all the hustle and bustle involved in airports or traffic etc.

During the weekend, there were occasions when I didn’t have the energy or desire to go out for dinner. Also, there was tightness in the chest and bouts of indigestion that I attributed to Angina. Usually, it would be for brief periods of 5-10 minutes, and after a cold drink and a short walk around the room it would be OK.

After our return home on Tuesday, the bouts seemed to occur more frequently. Then on Wednesday night, I was unable to sleep. For much of the night, I felt like a 500 pound gorilla was on my chest and I couldn’t get it off. Also, a cold drink and the usual short walk had no effect.

I could sense that Rena was becoming very concerned, and wanted to take me to the emergency room. I finally agreed that if it didn’t get better by morning, we would go to the hospital ER at Medical City.

I hadn’t been to a doctor for years since Dr. Vita, who had been our family Doctor, retired from practice. As a result, I didn’t really have a doctor. After all the preliminary checks, Doctor Snyder, a cardiologist came in and said he would be handling my case. He explained they were going to do a series of tests including an EKG and a Sonogram.

After running the EKG, he explained that I was having a heart attack at the time; however, it was rather mild and that no major damage had occurred. They moved me to the ICU ward and he scheduled the Sonogram for later that day. He explained that I would be sedated and would feel nothing, but that I would be awake and could watch and communicate.

After a very brief period of observation, the doctor folded up the stethoscope, switched off the machine and looked at me for a moment. Since he had only observed the scope for a brief moment, I expected him to say Gilley, you’re healthy as a horse, just a case of indigestion or Angina… You’ll be released and able to go home shortly.

I was a little startled by his next statement… Your case is very simple and straight forward…the only option in your case is for bi-pass surgery. He then said that he would have to get his associate to review and confirm his conclusions.

____________________

A short time later, he returned and said Dr. Mack agreed with his diagnosis, and would be in to see me shortly. If you and your wife agree, we should proceed with the surgery immediately, because your situation is very critical.

I thought the name of Dr. Mack, the surgeon he consulted with sounded familiar… then I suddenly remembered that he was the doctor who performed a bi-pass on my brother Troy about 12 years earlier, so I knew he had an outstanding reputation.

My immediate response was…I don’t see any point in waiting until Monday… Let’s get on with it. I knew that Rena would agree with that decision which she did.

Before I realized it, Doc Snyder was back looking down at me saying… Gilley, it’s now time to start the sedation…by the time we wheel you to the operating room, you’ll be completely out of it.

________________________

Rena & I said our good byes’ and vowed our love. As they wheeled me toward the operating room, my mind wandered back to the time about twelve years earlier, when we (Rena, myself and Odette…Troy’s’ wife) were walking along with Troy to the same operating room.

We were joking about a few silly things that had happened in life.

I remember we were all scared and apprehensive, because at that time, Bi-pass surgery was considered to be a major thing with far greater risk than it is today.

As we entered the elevator that would take us to the operating floor, we all started harmonizing in the old barber shop quartet fashion…"Poor Old Troy" ….while I played an imaginary violin…

You would have to understand Troy’s personality to get the humor of why we would do such a thing, considering the situation.

He just grinned, and was still grinning as he entered the doors to the operating room and we had to turn back.

________________________

As I was in the elevator heading up to the surgery room, I also had to smile and look up into the corners of the elevator, because I was sure my brother Troy and our older brother Art…was up there singing or making some wise-ass remarks of one type or another.

It may have been my imagination or perhaps wishful thinking…but I swear that I saw a faint image of a couple of figures saying you ugly little bastard…it’s payback time…and we’re gonna get even"…that’s the last I remembered for some time…

________________________

There was a faint grey haze in the background…Sorta like a heavy fog. There were some faint voices that I could barely hear or make out…then it gradually started coming into focus…with one voice saying gently…Jack, its Saturday afternoon…and time to wake up…You’re in the ICU ward and there are several people here to see you. Saturday afternoon?? I remember thinking… "Damn it’s been almost 24 hours from the last thing I had remembered".

It was a familiar feeling to me because I had literally been snatched from the Jaws of Death on several other occasions, and experienced the same type wake up call.

On some of those occasions however, there had been no anesthesia involved, or doctors there to make a wake-up call…

Then there was my darling Rena, the love of my life, smiling down at me, holding my hand…It was then that I knew everything was going to be all right.

________________________

Chapter 3

A STORY of

TRUE LOVE

The Beginning

_____________________

For the first several days in the hospital, I was in (and out of) a coma. I was later informed that I had developed post-op pneumonia, so I remained in intensive care for about two weeks. After recovery from the pneumonia, I was finally able to have regular visitation from family and friends…..

As I lay in the hospital bed, my mind began to wander back over our life together and our 42+ years of love and a wonderful marriage.

____________________

Rena and I first met in 1944, so we had really known each other for more than 52 years. She was about 8 and I was 12 when we first met. I will always remember the shy little girl with a few freckles and light auburn hair.

She had been living with her mother in Kansas City, when her father and step-mother received word she was staying with some friends, and that her mother had disappeared without a trace.

Our meeting was after her father had picked her up and brought her to live with them. She had been living with her mother in Kansas City after the divorce. It is still unclear to all of us what happened to her mother.

It turned out that my sister Joyce (6 yrs older than me) had married the younger brother to Rena’s step mother. As we were in a small rural farm community, it was natural that we would see each other on rather frequent occasions.

There was never any acknowledgment of any type from one to the other, nor was there ever even the slightest thought that we had each met the love of our life. The next few years were only a period in time when we both knew the other existed.

I next remember Rena, when I was in the army and on leave immediately prior to my departure for Korea in early 1951. It was during a large family gathering at my sister’s house. Since my sister (Joyce) was married to the younger brother of Rena’s step mother, and had close family ties, her family was present.

At that time, I still only remember a shy little girl that was very unhappy about having to be at the event. Obviously, I didn’t impress her, nor did she have any type of crush on me as an older hero off to war type thing…I was several years older and obviously not interested in a shy little 14 year old girl with (a few) freckles and auburn-hair. You’d have to be joking…

_____________________

Shortly before I left Korea (for discharge from the military after my 2nd Tour of Duty there), I received a letter from Joyce as we were very close and corresponded often.

In the letter, she mentioned Rena, and remarked about how she had blossomed out, and was turning out to be a beautiful young lady…Yeah, sure I thought… A freckled faced auburn headed beauty…Ha!

In the letter, Joyce said that if I returned to their area after discharge, perhaps she could arrange for us to have a date.

Yeah, sure…big match maker Joyce…just what I need… To be saddled with some little high school girl…. I thought…

Come-on Joyce, I have other interests…and things to do, like going to school…and meeting girls closer to my own age. After all, I was almost 21 years old and back from the war.

A freckled faced kid four years younger? You gotta be joking"!

Besides, at that point I hadn’t decided what to do with my life. Perhaps I would just stay in the military, or if not, maybe I would settle on the west coast, either in Southern California or around San Francisco. (I liked both southern California and the San Francisco areas).

Also, I had a lot of family in Oregon where I had attended high school. I corresponded with a couple of girls there that I had gone to school with and dated on several occasions.

Another possibility was I had served with a couple of young Hawaiian guys who suggested that I visit them in Hawaii and maybe settle there. I truly had no firm plans.

As our troop ship entered the bay and the familiar Golden Gate Bridge loomed ahead, it suddenly struck me that decision time was here. There could be no more procrastination. Soon, I would have to sign a form for re-enlistment or choose a base for leave and discharge.

My decision actually was a spur of the moment thing and had nothing to do with anything except my close ties and feeling for my sister Joyce. It was because of that I chose Ft. Sill, Oklahoma as a point for discharge. I thought that I could always change my mind about staying in the Army at the last minute if I chose to do so. I just wasn’t sure what path in life I wanted to follow.

I think there could possibly have been some motive about going back to see my old childhood flame (Louise Evans), to see if there was any possibility of rekindling the flame or patching up the differences.

However, I never made any effort to see her again, although I did go by her parent’s house on one occasion just to say hello and pay my respects. They had both been extremely good to me over the years, and in reality, I think her mother was really hurt by our breakup. There were tears in her eyes when I left after that meeting.

In reality, none of the decision process involved even the slightest thought about Rena. In fact, I had totally forgotten about her or any comments Joyce had made in her letter.

Prior to reporting to Ft. Sill for discharge, I had thirty days leave, and decided to visit Joyce (After visiting with brothers Troy, Art & our Mom who was in California at that time) and play it by ear from there. I still had some thinking to do about what I wanted to do with my life.

I spent a week in California to visit with Troy, Mom and Art before proceeding on to Oklahoma.

After I had been in Vinita for a few days (probably 2-3 days), I had purchased a car and started settling into a vacation routine. Then, Joyce (my dear little match making sister) thought it would be a good idea if we all had a picnic at a park in Tulsa. As an after-thought (after thought???), she thought it would be a good idea if she also invited Rena along… Yeah, sure…Good ole Joyce…just what I need, you made my day…

Well, Rena did join us…and, Joyce was right, she had turned out to be a Very Lovely Young Girl although still very shy (at least around me), and still had a few (very faint) freckles and a light auburn tint to her hair.

But, there was something else about her that I couldn’t explain. Perhaps it was the pure country innocence, or maybe it was the way she said things, or the fact she was so naive about worldly things. I simply don’t know, nor can I explain it today. The picnic however was our first date…if you could call such a chaperoned event a date…

In reality, I wasn’t necessarily attracted to her. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight. I wasn’t even sure whether I would (or even wanted to) date her again. I actually felt that she was much too young for me.

Here I was almost 21, a man of the world…been through the war and all that good stuff…Dating a 16+ year old?? C’mon Gilley, get real. But, there was something about her that sort of intrigued me and kept bringing her back to my mind.

Quite honestly, I’m not sure that I impressed her very much either. She was rather quiet and reserved, although very confident (and lady like) in a pure, innocent, country sort of way. Maybe that’s what kept bringing her back to my mind. Again I honestly don’t know.

Nevertheless, in a week or so, I did ask her out on a date and she accepted. If I remember correctly, we went roller skating and stopped at a favorite drive-in for a hamburger. Shortly after that, we also went to several drive-in movies together. A good part of the time her little brother Don (Donnie) accompanied us.

As my leave came to an end, I decided to proceed with a discharge, but still hadn’t decided what to do. In an interim period, until I made the decision, I stayed with Joyce and her family and started working at the ammunition factory in Parsons, Kansas where they worked. Parsons was a town about 50 miles away. Rena and I continued to date, and I started to spend time at her house.

After a couple of months, I concluded that working at a union job in an ammunition factory wasn’t my thing, so I started looking for alternatives. That was the only union type hourly job I ever had in my life.

I’ve always been of the opinion that I wanted to do my own thing, and whatever it is I might achieve in life would be because of what I did or accomplished on my own, not because of some negotiated process by someone else. My feeling was if I produce, I will make money relative to that effort and production. If I don’t, that’s my problem, and I’ll work it out.

It was clear however that I faced the reality of life…there just wasn’t that many opportunities for a young inexperienced man without a college level education.

Knowing how to sneak up on people, toss grenades, use and fire the various military weapons and understand Morse-Code etc.etc…

All that Plus Fifty Cents would buy you a cup of coffee… (Actually I think it was 10 cents at that time)… It simply does no good in civilian life…

Ultimately, I accepted a job as an Instrument Engineer Trainee (a result of some electronics training and experience in the military) for a Geophysical Company in Central Kansas. I felt that I could also take some courses at local colleges (and/or correspondence) on the GI bill to pursue an education and pay my way in life.

There was never any thought or question about not continuing my education. I felt that a college degree was necessary if I wanted to achieve my goals in life, even though those goals had not been well defined.

This had to be a consideration since I had purchased a new 1953 Mercury car and had a big (at the time) $76 per month car payment, I couldn’t afford to just "go to school" and not work.

That job was about a 4-5 hour drive from where Rena lived. During that period, I worked long hours (50-60 hours per week), and didn’t have that much time left over.

Usually, every 2-3 weeks, I would take a weekend off and drive down to see Rena. I had grown more attached to her, and started developing a special feeling that I still couldn’t explain …Except that I started missing her and felt lonely without being around her.

I’m not sure when it suddenly struck me that I was in love… but I had a burning desire to be with her all the time. There was little doubt that she was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

During the Christmas holidays of that year, I asked her if she would consider marriage. I had purchased an engagement ring (paid monthly on if for about a year afterwards) on the off chance she would accept.

She said Yes, (Thank God) and we agreed that we would wait until she finished high school. We then broke the news to her father and step-mother. I’m not sure they were "all that pleased", because they felt she was too young, and with-out saying it in words, the feeling was clear that they preferred we wait.

_____________________

Chapter 4

A

MARRIAGE

Of

LOVE

The Early Years

_____________________

As all of us who have spent a long period of time in the hospital after a serious injury or illness know, there is always a lot of time to think and let the mind wander. In most cases it was spent thinking about those you dearly love and the times you have shared together.

My situation was no different…I felt at peace with the world and very much in love, so naturally, it gave me a good opportunity to let my mind wander back over the 42 plus years with my darling Rena and the wonderful, joyful times we shared together.

_____________________

The Beginning of a

Life Time of LOVE

Rena and I were married in Vinita, Oklahoma on May 27, 1954. We moved into the small bachelor apartment that I had shared with another guy, in the town of Marion, Kansas.

It was kinda crazy. For some reason she assumed I had money. In reality, I think I had about $20 dollars (or so) left after I paid the preacher (and got back to our first home together in Marion, Kansas).

The big problem for me was that there were still a few days before my next paycheck would arrive. As naive as it may sound, we had never discussed finances. I think she felt that I was a worldly guy, and had a big new Mercury car, so I must have money. As ridiculous as it may sound, money, or how much I made (or had) was just never a discussion topic.

I’ll never forget the day, (shortly after our wedding), we were walking down the street, holding hands and doing some window shopping. All of a sudden, she stopped in front of a dress shop and just stared in the picture window display…at a dress on a mannequin.

After a few moments, Rena said…That is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen in my life. You would need to have seen the wonder in her eyes and heard the excitement in her voice at that moment to understand.

Without thinking, I said, would you like to go in and try it on?

Oh yes! she said. Her voice was filled with excitement. I had simply never heard such excitement and thrill in her voice or seen such a sparkle in her eyes. It filled me with pure joy.

To make a long story short, the dress was a perfect fit, and the price was $11. We made the purchase and headed back to the apartment. She just couldn’t wait to wear it.

Little did she know it was the most sinking feeling that I ever had. I simply didn’t have the heart to tell her we only had about $15-$20 to our name when we made the purchase.

It was difficult for me to share the excitement she felt and not let my gloomy and worried feeling show through. I had to borrow money to get through until payday. We’ve had many laughs about that over the years…so…it was all worth it a million times over.

_____________________

My mind continued to roam back over the years of our lives.

Although we had many setbacks and ups and downs as most young families do, I could only think of the good times. They were far too numerous to mention, because there were 42 (+) years of beautiful, wonderful times together, from the birth of our children and grand kids, to the celebrating of the many events that were very special to us. In fact, it would simply take me at least 42 years to relate it all.

Rena was always extremely self sufficient. I never understood how she could be so naive about life and yet so confident, positive and sure about things. The old adage that there is always a good woman behind every success was certainly true in our case. There was absolutely no doubt about the success of our marriage, and I have to believe that is the basis for success in life.

I’ll never forget the time she made the trip to join me in Tripoli, Libya in 1957. I had preceded her by two or three months, and had the apartment setup and ready for the arrival of her and Signe (our little daughter) who was about 18 months old at the time.

Rena had never been out of the U.S. at that point in her life, so it had to be a special excitement for her to travel to Rome where she obtained her Libyan visa and spent the night before heading on to Tripoli.

The company sent us all first class and we stayed in all the first class hotels. She had never seen a bidet before (which was common in Europe), and had no earthly idea what it was for. She thought however, it would make a good bath for Signe, so she used it as a bath tub.

_____________________

I’ll never forget the image of her and Signe getting off the plane in Tripoli. A striking and extremely beautiful young lady in a plaid dress, carrying a small baby girl dressed in blue…such a beautiful sight.

I hadn’t realized how much I had missed them. I was so proud of her, and she had, all of a sudden (or so it appeared), transformed into a beautiful lady of the world. Her look and demeanor was as beautiful and graceful as that of Grace Kelly with all the wealth and splendor of the Monarchy.

_____________________

Then, there was the three (+) weeks we spent in London several years later (1965). I was on temporary assignment in London for about 3 months waiting for my Libyan work visa to be approved.

Finally, I received a telegram from our Libyan manager that my visa was approved and I should have Rena & the kids (Signe & Jeff) meet me in London. From there we would fly on to Rome where we would pick up the visas before proceeding on to Libya.

About an hour before I was to leave for the airport to pickup Rena & the kids, (Our son Jeff was