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TL: How old were you when you remarried?

YB: I was sixty-five, I had retired, just retired from Frederick's. And wondered, "What should I do? Should I go to California?" Which I might have done, and be with the family. That's when he came into my life, and he wouldn't let me go.

TL: And was he older than you, or about the same age?

YB: Nine years younger.

TL: Oh.

YB: That's another reason. Why should I marry a younger man and find my, work hardships on him and go first? And I told him, I said, "George, I'm older." And he said, "That makes no difference." He says, "Dear, I know a lot of older people that look older than you," and he said, "Age makes no difference at this point. When we reach this age, age isn't anything." And I had to think that over, and I said, "Look at all the ladies over at the Amaranth, the Eastern Star, and the Masonic temple that you could..." He says, "I know a lot of 'em. They're all nice, but they don't mean a thing to me. I don't want to marry them." So I thought it over for three months and finally decided I would. And I didn't regret the day that his sister Harriet came and stood up... for us. And my very best friend was the one that I asked to come. She's very ill now, but she's the same age as I am.

Harriet was so happy. When she found out George and I were going to get engaged, "Can I tell the girls in the department?" I said, "Please, wait 'til it comes in the paper." [Laughs] So she finally couldn't wait, and the night before she told all the girls. So they gave me a big shower and a party, and when I retired from there -- there's forty-five in our department at that time, and the manager, the lady and the man both came in and joined in, and gave me a beautiful party.

<End Segment 30> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.