I was wrong! And I’m so glad I was! (i think)

WHO Award, 1978: Sydney M. LaRue

For years I’ve harbored a teeny tiny bit of jealousy for a number of disparate people — my mother, Isaac Asimov, Virginia Williams Jones, and every single one of Willard’s grandchildren among others.   And the reason?  My venerable uncle Willard (who we mostly called “Wede”), at one time or another, wrote  a poem specifically for each of them.  In my mother’s case — more than one.  And although he always told me I was his favorite niece (never mind that I was his ONLY niece), he never wrote a poem for me.

Or so I’ve thought for a very long time.  And then… in this cursed and blessed cleaning out project, I ran into this note from the man himself.  Dated 2 May, 1978, it said:

Dear Sydney:
I understand that certain ceremonies in your honor have recently occurred  Having tried, but failed to make myself part of them, I send you this wistful tribute:

 

Willard Espy, 1975

You try hard to reach her;
No matter, she’ll scorn ya —

The most famous teacher
In North California!

You beg, you beseech her;
She’ll widdle upon ya —
The most famous teacher
In North California!

Oh… and the “ceremonies” he mentions?   I was awarded the 1978  WHO (We Honor our Own) Award by the California Teachers’ Association, Alcosta Service Center and Hayward Unified Teacher’s Association.  I can’t be sure after all these these years exactly what it was for but I know it was NOT for widdling.

All I can say is, be careful what you wish for.

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