Post by OscarWillebeest on Apr 18, 2008 19:43:14 GMT -5
a true story.
Who is Jack, and whatever became of him? And Joan, is she still alive, and is Jack still in love with her? Did the infatuation that a reticent young man experience ever blossomed into marriage, and if so why is it that she has allowed her memories to flutter into an antiquarian’s hands? Maybe they have drifted apart, still nurturing secret thoughts about what could have been…maybe should have been? I wonder…. And maybe someone who reads this has an answer.
I became aware of their existence 4 years ago, when someone from Rosebank (Johannesburg) sold me 2 boxes of second hand books. Amongst I found a quaint little hard cover book, in excellent condition, measuring approximately 7 fingers by 7 fingers. The front cover is in yellow and black, with a white border, and depicts Lucy hugging Snoopy. Authored by the ex Sunday school teacher, Charles M Schulz, the title appears on the inside as “Happiness is a Warm Puppy.” Every other page depicts one or more of Schulz’s characters, with the opposite page complementing it with an appropriate “Happiness is…” caption.
All the books I have sold, bar this one. Maybe for what it hopefully still represents, or was it because I am old fashioned and secretly still believe that love is for evermore? It is also possible that this cute little book, that every customer ooh…and aah’d about, with the obnoxious Lucy closing her eyes in pleasure, and smiling from ear to ear as the hugs the Beagle puppy made me wish for someone that I could hug? I simply do not know, but ultimately it just did not seem right to put up for sale another person’s memories. For, on the inside of the front page there is written, in blue pen ”Valentines Day 1964” and underneath: “Joan, I hope this gives you moments of happiness which all in Life gives gladly. Jack.”
Being an amateur analyst of handwriting, I propose that the infatuated Jack, for infatuated he was, is a friendly, affectionate man, verily enthusiastic, and often impulsive. But life, or maybe the loss of Joan might have changed him? Who knows? And Joan? She must have been beautiful, for although 85 cents was not that much money, the book told her in a roundabout way that Jack loved her. Did she deduce that much? For the message is that of a man admiring a woman, yet unsure of whether his affections will be reciprocated.
So many questions that this little book confronts us with, and the only two people who can answer it are Joan, and Jack. But how, and where? Maybe, with your help we can find the author to confirm that which we all hope for, for in a way their tale of obliqueness might well be ours. After all, the possible floundering of emotions we mostly refuse to admit, for it does not sit right with our hearts’ notion that love does overcome adversity. Who knows, maybe happiness for them still is…being together. I hope so, I sincerely hope so.
And I equally hope that this coming Valentine’s day Mr. Schulz’s 6th definition comes true for you as well: “Happiness is finding someone you like at the front door.” Not only that, I hope it to be that special someone that you more than like, that someone you feel lonely without even though you are surrounded by ten of your best friends. And may that someone not only be at the door, but at the entrance to your heart. And may you allow him or her to step right in. No need to wait until Valentine’s day, or Christmas, for there is no better time where love is concerned than right now.
For every reader, and for everyone in the world, my sincerest wish this coming Valentine’s day is that you have someone to love, and that someone loves you.
Who is Jack, and whatever became of him? And Joan, is she still alive, and is Jack still in love with her? Did the infatuation that a reticent young man experience ever blossomed into marriage, and if so why is it that she has allowed her memories to flutter into an antiquarian’s hands? Maybe they have drifted apart, still nurturing secret thoughts about what could have been…maybe should have been? I wonder…. And maybe someone who reads this has an answer.
I became aware of their existence 4 years ago, when someone from Rosebank (Johannesburg) sold me 2 boxes of second hand books. Amongst I found a quaint little hard cover book, in excellent condition, measuring approximately 7 fingers by 7 fingers. The front cover is in yellow and black, with a white border, and depicts Lucy hugging Snoopy. Authored by the ex Sunday school teacher, Charles M Schulz, the title appears on the inside as “Happiness is a Warm Puppy.” Every other page depicts one or more of Schulz’s characters, with the opposite page complementing it with an appropriate “Happiness is…” caption.
All the books I have sold, bar this one. Maybe for what it hopefully still represents, or was it because I am old fashioned and secretly still believe that love is for evermore? It is also possible that this cute little book, that every customer ooh…and aah’d about, with the obnoxious Lucy closing her eyes in pleasure, and smiling from ear to ear as the hugs the Beagle puppy made me wish for someone that I could hug? I simply do not know, but ultimately it just did not seem right to put up for sale another person’s memories. For, on the inside of the front page there is written, in blue pen ”Valentines Day 1964” and underneath: “Joan, I hope this gives you moments of happiness which all in Life gives gladly. Jack.”
Being an amateur analyst of handwriting, I propose that the infatuated Jack, for infatuated he was, is a friendly, affectionate man, verily enthusiastic, and often impulsive. But life, or maybe the loss of Joan might have changed him? Who knows? And Joan? She must have been beautiful, for although 85 cents was not that much money, the book told her in a roundabout way that Jack loved her. Did she deduce that much? For the message is that of a man admiring a woman, yet unsure of whether his affections will be reciprocated.
So many questions that this little book confronts us with, and the only two people who can answer it are Joan, and Jack. But how, and where? Maybe, with your help we can find the author to confirm that which we all hope for, for in a way their tale of obliqueness might well be ours. After all, the possible floundering of emotions we mostly refuse to admit, for it does not sit right with our hearts’ notion that love does overcome adversity. Who knows, maybe happiness for them still is…being together. I hope so, I sincerely hope so.
And I equally hope that this coming Valentine’s day Mr. Schulz’s 6th definition comes true for you as well: “Happiness is finding someone you like at the front door.” Not only that, I hope it to be that special someone that you more than like, that someone you feel lonely without even though you are surrounded by ten of your best friends. And may that someone not only be at the door, but at the entrance to your heart. And may you allow him or her to step right in. No need to wait until Valentine’s day, or Christmas, for there is no better time where love is concerned than right now.
For every reader, and for everyone in the world, my sincerest wish this coming Valentine’s day is that you have someone to love, and that someone loves you.