Stamps

Lillian was one of the most loved women in the neighborhood. She had her own house and kept it neat and tidy but comfortable. My youngest brother shoveled snow and mowed her lawn. He would not charge her but she made special treats for him.

One of her legs was shorter than the other so she had a pronounced limp that would have kept most of us down. She just kept on going with an energy that would shame most of us. She did not drive so she walked everywhere.

Lillian always had a smile and good word for and about everybody. She had never married. I think she was told when she was small that her leg made her undesirable and she believed it. What a mate she would have been for some lucky man.

The one eccentricity she had was that she absolutely loved Elvis Presley. And I do mean loved. Anything having to do with Elvismade her happy.

There was one whole room in Lillian's house that was devoted to Elvis memorabilia. She had built her own shrine. And her a good Catholic woman too.

Most years Lillian made a pilgrimage to Graceland. I am not sure what she did there. I would think that she toured the house when tours were allowed. I do know that she was happy just to be there where Elvis lived.

Someone had the idea of commemorating Elvis on a postage stamp. Lillian was all for it.

For several years Lillian collected signatures on petitions. She called congresspeople. She contacted anyone and everyone who might be able to make the Elvis stamps happen.

She worked tirelessly and diligently. Lillian really wanted Elvis to be remembered on a stamp.

You should have seen her face the day she found out that there was going to be a postage stamp with the man she idolized on it. Her usually smiling face was glowing with joy.

One of the first things she did was to go to church to give thanks. She was a good Catholic woman.