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From Mrs. Wilkins . . .
Dear Overton First,
Have you ever been REALLY excited when CHRISTMAS morning arrived? You thought SANTA had brought you everything you ever wanted...and then, you looked in a lonely corner and THERE you saw a magnificent gift you couldn't have dreamed of. It really was wonderful to be the recipient of Santa's very best!
That's the way I was late Tuesday afternoon. I got home from my initial visit to my new doctor, here in Boone, NC, where my son David and his wife, Jana, work for Franklin Graham's SAMARITAN'S PURSE (Billy Graham's son). He is in the Human Resources Division. On the way home to this lovely apartment that they had found for me, I was thinking of going to bed early.
But when I opened my apartment door and saw the huge Fed Ex box marked "FRAGILE" and then looked at the return address with Wilcox on it, I got so excited and energized, I grabbed a knife and started digging into the box. Could hardly wait.
I almost cried. I would have, if I had not already. With it, I will always remember all of the happiness and joy I experienced in those wonderful years at Overton that made me so HAPPY. I remembered how overjoyed I was to have a mimeograph machine. I was wearing a raincoat regularly to protect my clothes from the ink when it seemed to always slush out when I worked on it.
When I looked down and saw those shoes with the "HEELS" I could hardly believe it AND looked at my current rubber sole shoes with the velcro strapped closings I just shook my head.
The printed page was so wonderful after only having a ditto machine. I remember being called the "paper lady" and the "DITTO QUEEN!"
But, that thrill did not come near to the joy and precious memories you gave to me when I read your notes written on the back of it. Some from Colonial, some from my typing classes, some from helping with all kinds of work in the Guidance Office, some looking for entrance into the right college or university for you.
Did you know what a gift you gave to me? You were such a great collection of students in one building. For a while, Mr. Hewlett called the boarded up front door, "EARLY AMERICAN." WE WERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR QUITE AWHILE.
You were well behaved, courteous, fun, and your IQ WAS ABOVE AVERAGE. You were great to work with in the building and I was privileged to be flown to the many schools and academies that you might be interested in. I was also flown to New York City twice a year for three years on a committee for the COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD to work with College Admission people in trying to get their financial problems solved. Once, I was their guest at Princeton at the home of CEEB. Why did they do that for me? Because they wanted my GREAT STUDENTS!
Part of the time, YOU were EDUCATING Me! Or making life more fun. Were any of you in my Typing Class when Terry Doolin pulled the chair out from my desk just as I was sitting down? What a blow that was! I had trouble with my a,s,d,f,...j,k,l. He and I made up but spent some time in the Guidance Office! Where is he, these days?
Long after you all were on your way, due to some blood pressure problems, I asked for some time out for health recovery time. The principal asked me to wait until every soul had left the building before I began packing up. This was Faculty Meeting Day. I did follow his directions but only had the boxes piled up on my daughter Cacky's bed, as I did not have the ability to overcome the sadness of leaving Overton. The boxes stayed right there for months.
I did teach a year at a Pregnant Girls' School. It was hard after the wonderful years and training for just you, I was working with girls whose IQ was LESS than normal. I had to do a lot of shifting in my approach. Some of the girls took their final exams with a baby in their laps.
Then, Jane Walters made me a place at Craigmont Jr. High in Guidance (plus a class in typewriting) One hasn't lived until they get mixed up with the eighth graders. Another big challenge.
I wish I could have sat in the Overton Guidance Office the last day of the Reunion. And that I could have enjoyed talking with many of you. Just thinking of my life with you floods my heart and mind with such pleasant memories and exhilaration.
So, enjoy yourselves and keep on being the wonderful people that I know that you are.
My Mother had an oil painting of me made when I was 19. Just recently, I gave it to my son David and his wife because I keep moving into smaller quarters. My wonderful second husband, Raymond E. Petty, died nearly four years ago and I found out I could not run a house alone and ever do anything else, so I have moved six times since then and am in the middle of moving to Boone, NC, into this wonderful place, just full of old folks who love to talk about their children.
I will make room for my new gift picture from YOU. Probably be hung somewhere close to the computer which has progressed to the living room. Cacky now has pictures of her nine grandchildren all around her house, so she will be glad that I want this one for my very own. The last three nights I have told it "GOOD NIGHT!"
It will always play a part in making things so right and I will again be reminded that I feel, "OVER THE TOP--WITH OVERTON!!"
MUCH LOVE,
Catherine Wilkins (Petty)
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