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In June 1967, my freshman college choir trip to DC. My mother's brother, Uncle Paul, was the florist for the ultra fancy Mayflower Hotel in D.C. He did lots and lots of political banquet stuff...and knew the White House florist guy oh so well. So, when my other singing pals were still sound asleep, I met my uncle (at about 6 a.m.), and we went for our own private tour of the White House with his florist pal. This was to beat all the tourists at 9 a.m. We saw everything that no one's allowed to see...like the indoor swimming pool and the oval office and a walk in the rose garden. Remember, Johnson was still in, and it was still very very close to Jackie Kennedy days. What a privilege!!!
We were out of there just in time for me to hitch up with my comrades waiting outside in the long line to get in. I joined them and was amazed at how quickly they shuffle you through those 3 or 4 rooms. And out!!
The evening before this, Uncle Paul had sent me a brandy snifter full of flowers upon my arrival in Washington. For a girl who'd never had a date, boy, were my friends green with envy and curiosity. He'd taken me under his wing, as it were, when my Dad died 6 years before this. I overheard him say to my Mom one hot summer night on his annual visit up north, "As long as Christine needs me, I'll be there for her." We used to keep up a rather regular correspondence during my high school and college days. He even sent me a key chain that said "I love you" as it swirled around. Surely I still remember him in my daily prayers too...even now, 28 years after his passing.
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