Page 55 - February Sun Rays

PATRICK & SHARON (KERN) SHARPE
John and Rose Rodden
JOHN & ROSE (GALLAGHER) RODDEN
THE IRISH TABLECLOTH
On a cold winter day in early 1953, having recently emigrated from
the Republic of Ireland, I was staying with my aunt when there
was an unexpected knock at the door. Well, perhaps not 100 percent
unexpected. At the door was John Rodden, whom I had known of from
back home in County Donegal. Three years older than me, he had attended
the same village school and his brother, Jimmy, had dated my sister
Annie before leaving for America. John was on his way to Philadelphia
where his brother Jimmy was staying. Jimmy had left home in 1949 and
seldom wrote. We all knew that he had probably “moved on” and never
planned to return to Ireland, but before setting sail for the USA John
called on Annie at my father’s house. He let her know that he was going
to America and would tell Jimmy to write. He also asked her if she had
anything to give to Jimmy or anyone else. Annie paused and thought
about it, then quickly hatched a devious wee “matchmaking” plan so
that John would, as she later told me, “be sure to see Rose” soon after
he docked - and before he got involved with other girls, as Jimmy had
evidently done. She told him to “wait a wee bit” and set forth to find a
suitable gift. She had nothing prepared at all. She did, however, have an
Irish linen tablecloth in a boxed gift-set. She told John that this was her
special present for me, and he swore to deliver the tablecloth personally.
The Irish linen tablecloth therefore undertook its secret mission and set
sail on its own utterly unforeseen and unexpected voyage from Ireland to
the United States, where it would become the improbable yet ingenious
and providential go-between for a love story to unfold. It has been a love
story that has never ended, not even with John’s sad passing on to another
New World three long years ago.
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
NO SUCH THING AS A FREE BEER
We were both attending Texas Tech and knew each
other from growing up in Vernon, Texas. Lubbock
was dry at the time, so you had to drive to the
“Strip” outside of town to buy beer. One day, Sharon
called a friend’s house and I answered the phone.
“I am turning 21 years old today,” she said, “and I
understand some places on the Strip will give you
a free six-pack on your 21st birthday.” She asked
if anyone would want to take her to get her free
six-pack. Free beer – what could be better?! I said
I’d pick her up at Horn Hall Dorm in ten minutes.
I have been paying for that free beer for the last
54 years.
Dennis Simpson and CJ Jackson
DENNIS SIMPSON & CJ JACKSON
OVERCOMING OOPS
CJ and Dennis met online. CJ suggested they have
their first date at an Indian restaurant (Dennis
later shared that he’s not a fan of Indian food…oops).
That evening, Dennis arrived late and red-faced (CJ
had given him the wrong directions…oops, again).
Dennis’ navy blue sweater was adorned with cat
hair (CJ is not much of a cat person…triple oops).
But CJ loved the conversation and his smile, and
Dennis loved her smile and her tweed mini-skirt
(which he can describe in detail to this day). After
dinner, they went to a nightclub and boogied down
on the dance floor while CJ (a teetotaler) silently
counted Dennis’ rum and cokes (he claims they were
mostly ice). Three months later they were engaged.
Even after the multiple “oopsies” of that first date,
they have been happily married over 11 years.
FEBRUARY 2017 SUNRAYS | 53