Thursday, December 9, 2021
I knew Paul years ago & I had not seen him since 1967 when I moved back to CA. . One of the sweetest persons I had ever met. I met him at Hiawatha Bowl . I used to to wait on him & Frank his Dad everyday at Greens Cafe where they would come for lunch. I would sometimes go to visit Frank & him at the shop. I loved the smell of the wood there. I have a wonderful memory of Paul & your dad I have never forgotten. It shows what a huge heart they both had. Paul & your dad came into my work & had me sit down & said they needed to have a serious talk with me. I was 17 pregnant & big as a house - not married with my family living in CA. Paul asked me to marry him! We were friends & he knew the baby’s dad (went to school with him I think bowled on the same league) had just walked out on me left me cold - without the marriage he promised me.
After Paul asked me that I was shocked & touched as he & your dad explained. No strings attached they said . I could live with them at your dads & I would be able to give my baby a last name. (It was hard in 1967 to be an unwed mother.) I was so confused & shocked at what Paul was offering me & did not understand why he would do that. His response was .. “Well no matter what, that way your baby would always be a “Blessing”! I laughed & cried & could not believe it. I thought to myself why would anyone do that for me. We were just friends. Not in love & had not never even dated or kissed. I told him I could not let him do that. We were not in love with each other & it might mess up his life as well. I could not do that to such a kind person! They told me over & over it was a real offer he just wanted to help me. Frank said yes we had talked about it & it’s true. I just had to say the word. - I did not answer any more & ended up a few days later , after going to see an Aunt completely confused & scared as to what to do. My Aunt had me immediately shipped back to CA to my mom.
I never forgot Paul’s offer as I never had been given or expected such a kindness at the most confusing & scary time in my life. I was a baby having a baby. I sent then information on the baby’s birth & don’t remember how I lost contact after that but I had many times wanted to know what happened to Paul. I never wanted to pop up as I thought it might interfere with his life somehow. Maybe he was married & such . But I came back to Minnesota & was trying to look him up & found Frank had past away & Paul too. I am so very sorry to hear this .I wished I would have told Paul how much that had meant to me. Your brother was a good person a dear friend to me. He touched my heart & soul with that unselfish act when I felt the world had kicked me to the curb. Your dad was just as wonderful. I think you should know what a wonderful brother you had. Since I can’t tell Paul I will tell his family - he had a heart of pure gold. Without another thought but to help a scared kid who did not know where she was going to eat or sleep while raising her baby. I was actually a good girl who got involved with the wrong older guy. My son has always been my biggest gift in life & a true “blessing” to me tho not technically in name he just surely always has been so maybe Paul just knew he would be. - I wish I could have told him that. - Lynn Anderson
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