Well, for my part
I like to say as the new guy
will take over you
I hope I can fill your shoes
because from the looks of people here
and what they think about you
they sure seem awfully big
As most of you know I just moved here recently
from Demoy, with my wife, Patty here
and Kimberly, our 1 4-month old
you all have made us feel so welcomed
and Warren, I want you to feel just as welcome
to visit our office any time you want
In fact
as we'd been discussing for last couple of weeks
questions about our various product
Iike the new Universal Life Policy next month
and...
anyway, here's to you, Warren
Hey, Warren, how do you feel about these
young punks taking over our jobs?
Seems like some kind of conspiracy to me
Now I've known Warren here
probably longer than most of you people been alive
we go way back way back
in horse and buggy days
Anyway, I know something about retirement
what I want to say to you out loud
so all these young hotshot can hear
is all those gifts there
don't mean a damn thing
and this dinner doesn't mean a thing
and social security pension doesn't mean a thing
none of these superficiality mean a damn thing
What means something what really means something
Warren, is the knowledge you devoted your life
to something meaningful
To be productive
working for a fine company
held one of top rated insurance company in nation
to raising a fine family to building a fine home
to be respected by your community
to having wonderful lasting friendships
At the end of his career
a man can look back and say
I did it, I did my job
then he can retire in glory
and enjoy riches far beyond the monetary can
So all you young people here
take a good look at a very rich man
I love you
I 'll be right back
Good evening I like hindler please
Coming right up
Hello?
Hi, honey
Yeah, we just got in just walk in the door
yeah, he is just a minute
Warren, here on the phone is Ginny
Ginny? How are you doing?
lt went just fine, yeah nice event
l know, but don't give it another thought
you got bigger fish to fry
l know, we'll see out there real soon anyway
What?
Yeah, did I get the robe? Yes
that was quite an item
you sure went overboard
From U Nç Rental? I see
Well, thank you both
it sure going to come in handy now
You bet you
Okay
Bye now
Did you thank Randall?
I did What did he say?
I just told Ginny
You didn't thank him personally?
Nço
Why not? He didn't come to the phone
Why not?
I don't know he didn't come to phone
You should have asked for him
You need to make an effort
he's going to be your son-in-law
and you hardly know him
I know well enough
You should try to be more positive
she's lucky to have him
Yeah
You know
my father didn't think so much of you at first
Where to, mister ?
Looks like you need a ride
Surprise
I thought it'd be fun to have breakfast in here today
you know, seem like little beehive
Fine
Isn't this fun?
Well, sort of gives us a rough idea
We are going to have
a lot of good times in here, Warren
Yep
Here's to a whole new chapter
"... Child Reach, we need people who want to help"
throughout the world
in many of the poorest countries
there is a wonderful organization called Child Reach
that is making a profound difference in lives of
children just like these
For just $22 a month justt 72 cents a day
you can become a Child Reach sponsor
and not only touch the life
of a needy boy or girl oversea
but also help the child's family and community
"Think of it, just $22 a month"
and a little girl like this
would not be using dirty water
a child like this would be able to
go to school and learn
I'm so glad you've watched
now that you have what are you going to do?
I'm glad to hear that
Right... Oh no
I can't take all the credit for that
I don't know I did use a calculator
That's my motto
"Alright, all ready"
Bye-bye... Hey
"there he is what do you say, partner? "
Pretty good how are you doing?
Nçot too shabby
I see you are all moved in
"Oh yeah, so what brings you back to this part of woods? "
I was just driving by want to pop up and see
what trouble you're getting in to
"You know, keeping busy"
And I want to make sure
you don't have any more questions about
those pre-teen models I was working on
they seem pretty straight forward at first
" Nço, no, I think I got pretty good handle on things"
you did a super job of handling everything
just super smooth selling all the way
Because I have been concerned about some of those items
that I watch you slipping through cracks
"you know, it kind of has been nagging at me"
" Nçope, business has to worth something"
If everything would bubble up to surface
why not give you at home
you can bet on that
I got to get to a meeting at west
You want to take the elevator down with me?
"Okay, sure Great"
Great to see you looking good
Thank you Have you been working out?
Hi
How was it at the office?
Fine
Good thing I stopped by
T urns out he needs my help with a couple of loose ends
That's wonderful
Dear Nçdugu
My name is Warren R Schmidt
and I am your new foster father
alright...
" I live in Omaha, Nçebraska"
my older brother Harry lives in Rod
with his wife Estil
Harry lost a leg 2 years ago due to diabetes
I am 66 years old
recently retired as vice president in
Actuary Woodman of the World lnsurance Company
damn it fell into this little kid
alright maybe he's got a theory
and can plug a few numbers into computer
but I can tell he doesn't know a damn thing
about genuine real world risk assessment
our managing department will cark that bastard
Anyway
66 must sound too old to a young one like yourself
The truth is it sounds pretty old to me too
because when I look into the mirror
and see the wrinkles around my eyes
"and sagging skin on my neck, head, and my ears"
veins on my ankles
I can't believe it's really me
When I was a kid
I used to think maybe I was special
that somehow destinied to be a great man
Nçot like Walt Disney or somebody like that
but somebody semi-important
I got a degree in business statistics
was planning to start my own business someday
build it up into a big corporation
watch it go public
maybe make the Fortune 500
I was going to be the guy you read about
but somehow it just didn't work out that way
you got to remember l got top job at Woodman
a family to support
I couldn't put their security at risk
" Helen, that's my wife"
she wouldn't vote out
What about my family you might ask
What about my wife and daughter
Don't they give me all the pride and satisfaction I could want
Helen and I have been married 42 years
Lately every night I find myself asking the same question
Who is this old woman who lives in my house?
Why is every little thing she does irritates me?
Like the way she gets the keys out of her purse
Iong before we reach the car
and how she throws our money away
on her ridiculous collection
and tossing out perfectly good food
just because the expiration date is passed
and her obsession with
and the way she cuts me off when I try to speak
I hate the way she sits
and the way she smells
For years now she has insisted that I sit
when I urinate
I promised to lift the seat and put the seat back down
it wasn't good enough for her
then there's Ginny
she's our only
I bet she'd like you
She used to get by pretty good in German
She'd always be my little girl
She lives out in Denver
we don't get to see her much any more
She only stay in touch by phone every couple of weeks
She comes out for holidays sometimes
but not as often as we like
She has responsibility with high tech
very hard for her to break away
Recently she got engaged
so I suppose we'll be seeing even less of her now
Fellow's name is Randall Hertzl
He's got a sales job
Maybe Ginny is past her prime
but I think she can do a lot better job
this guy is like smuf not for my little girl
I'll close now and get this into mail
Here I am rumbling on and on
you probably want to hurry up and cash that check
and get yourself something to eat
so take it easy
best of luck with all your endeavors
Yours very truly Warren Schmidt
Hi
I 'm going out to mail letter
do you need anything?
Nço
I have been doing some research
it amazes me the librals and look in silver cloud
What can I get you?
I'll have a blizzard and vanilla ice cream
What would you like in it?
I'll have some...
Reeses pieces
and some cookie
What size? Medium
Helen? Helen
What's the matter?
Helen
Before we go any further
I would like to go over some expenses with you
we itemize all our charges and break them into categories
our professional services preparational bodies
this figure totals to $ 1 550
and for use of equipment staff
In addition to funeral charges
Any question?
Nço
What if I drive myself
Anger is okay
"God can handle it, if we are angry at him"
We are going to miss Helen so much
"She was the greatest warmest, most wonderful"
I know
We are praying for you Warren
" If there is anything you need you call us, okay? "
Okay
Okay? Okay
I can't believe it I still can't
I know
She was just
she was too young
" I know, thank you"
You are a good friend
You take care of yourself
"You too, Ray Thanks for everything"
I see you real soon
Nçice of people to bring all this food
there will be a lot of leftovers
She was a very special lady
I really will miss her I miss her already
I know we all do
Let's drink to her
Here's to Helen
They broke them all
Helen
"We love you, we miss you, we always will"
How are you doing? You doing okay?
Fine
Are you sure? Yeah
Must be really tough
I remember when my aunt died
"so unreal, it was 4th of July "
I never forget it
"Listen, I know it's not the time to talk about it"
before we leave if you'd like to take a few minutes
take your mind off it
there's something real important I want to talk to you about
What's that?
It's an investment opportunity
"really exiting, I want you to get on ground floor with me"
and it's not a pyramid scheme
a lot of people thought it's a pyrimid scheme
" It's not, it's almost guaranteed you can double your money"
you can triple it in the first year alone
"The thing is, Warren"
I'm not going to be selling waterbeds forever
"l got plans, we don't have much chance to talk about it"
but I got pretty good business head on me
Mayonnaise or mustard?
I like both
don't toast bread very much I don't like my bread very toasted
I 'll have some of those BBQ potato chips
not the plain ones those are your mother's
the BBQ's are mine
In fact you and Randal can take the plain ones
those will go to waste I won't eat them
Maybe you can eat them while on the plane
Fine
so good to see you
I hope you don't have to get back so soon
Can you take a few days more?
Can you talk to them at work
they'll understand
" Heck, who's going to take care of me? "
Here is your sandwich Wonderful
"You know, Dad"
you're going to have to get used to taking care of yourself
You might have to hire a maid
A maid?
"Nço, I'll be alright I don't need extra expense"
At least for a few weeks while you are dealing with this
That's why I'm asking you to stay to help me out
"Dad, I told you I wish I could"
but I can't I got too much going on
Even if I get more time off I got the wedding
that's a full time job on its own
Nçow that you mention
I think you should consider postponing it
Postpone the wedding?
We can't do that It's all set
You might want to take this opportunity
to rethink things
But everyone's invited
"They understand, out of respect for your mother"
She'd have approved
Nço one wants to change anything
"The thing is, your mother and I spoke a number of times"
very seriously about you and Randall
and what did she say?
Just that she loved you she wanted you to be happy
this thing with Randall
She wanted to make sure you don't have any regrets
so you might want to keep your options open
But she helped us pick the date
I was on phone with her almost everyday
"planning, ordering things"
I really don't know what you're talking about
Alright
have it your way
Good sandwich
Dad
Why did you get such a cheap casket?
What?
I could tell you got the cheapest casket
Everybody could
That is not true
I specifically did not choose the cheapest casket
They showed me one less expensive
and I refused it
You mean a pine box?
I don't remember what it was
Couldn't you spend just once?
What are you talking about?
What about the bagel out there?
That is an expensive vehicle
I didn't want to get it but I did
That was completely your mother's idea
She told me she had to pay half of it
She said she had to sell some of her stock to pay for it
That was her decision
I was going to have Winy weny but she had to have adventure
What was I supposed to do
T ell her she couldn't?
It was her money
" In here, Randall"
"Where? In here, here"
Here you are
you better get packed
Did you tell dad about book?
I forgot
"Warren, have you read"
""When Bad Things Happen to Good People"? "
Nço
It's really amazing
You should read it
When we get back to Denver I'll send you my copy
The workbook too I did most of my exercises
Midwest Express
"So long, Randall"
You'll be in our prayers
"Okay, thank you"
Ginny
"T ake care yourself, Dad"
That's a good one
Bye Dad
"So long, Ginny"
See you in a few weeks
Okay
"Bye, Warren, you take care"
Dear Nçdugu
I hope you're sitting down
because I'm afraid l got some bad news
Since I last wrote to you
"my wife, Helen your host mother"
passed away very suddenly from a blood clod in her brain
The services were lovely and very well attended
Ginny came in from Denver with her friend
folks drove up from as far away as from Demon Wichita
a very moving tribute any way you look at it
I wish you could have been there
but now all the excitement is over
and the smoke is clear
just me and my thoughts knocking around
I believe I mentioned in my previous letter
that I was an actuary
in one of the world insurance company
" If I were given a man's age race, profession"
place of residence
marital status and medical history
I can calculate with great probability
how long that man will live
In my own case now that my wife has died
there is 73% chance I will die in 9 years
provided that I do not remarry
all I know is
I got to make best of whatever time I have left
" Life is short, Nçdugu"
I can't afford to waste another minute
Two weeks later
Life without Helen has been quite a challenge
but I think you'll be proud of me
"Yeah, this house is now under new management"
but you never know the difference
Sure sometimes I can be tired and forgetful
I guess that's not worth mentioning
to someone in your situation
Helen wouldn't want me sitting around in self-pity
but she'd tell me to shape up
so I try to get out much
stick to my routine
That's very important in phase of big change
Sure I am not quite the cook like Helen was
but I am not like in my bachelor days
It's a lot of work keeping household together
I might sell the place and move to a little condo
but for now I am getting by just fine
In my last letter I might have misspoken
used some negative language about my late wife
but you have to understand
I was under a lot of pressure following my retirement
" I 'm not going to lie to you, Nçdugu"
It's been rough few weeks
I 've been broken from time to time
I miss her
I miss my Helen
I guess I didn't know how lucky I was
to have a wife like Helen
until she was gone
"Remember that, young man"
you got to appreciate what you have
while you still have it
You scare me What are you doing?
I thought you might want these back
"That was long ago 25, 30 years"
I can't believe she kept these
That's talk about this you are my friend
It was a big mistake
I am sorry
You have reached Electronics
Shipping and receiving this is Ginny
Ginny? It's Dad How are you
"Hey, I am swamped What's up? "
I have surprise for you
Guess what? What?
I am on the road to see you
now I am outside
" Dad, what are you talking about? "
"Ginny, I 've been thinking about things"
how much you mean to me
the times we've been together in last few years
all of a sudden I realize what am I doing in Omaha
when you are out there we should be together
Wait
You are coming now?
If I drive straight through
I 'll be in time for supper
I don't think so this is not a good idea
Sure it is
Don't tell me you couldn't use help with wedding arrangements
The thing is with Jill we got everything under control
Let's stick to plan
you get here a day before wedding
Iike we said
I assume you won't object me
sending any more of those checks
" Dad, I do not have time for this"
"you call me when you get home, okay? "
Fine
"Bye, Ginny Bye, Dad"
Dear Nçdugu
How are you?
I am fine
A week ago I decided to take my way to Ginny's
wedding in Denver
Ginny begged me to come early
to help with wedding arrangements
but I told her I needed some time myself
I decided to go to places l haven't been to for a long time
So much has happened to my life that I can't remember
Whole section of my life is just gone
You will say I want to give my self some memory
"The first place I stop is Holdrege, Nçebraska"
I think seeing the house I was born 67 years ago
When I was your age we moved away from Holdrege
I often wonder what our old house would be like today
Funny
I never forget the address
1 2 Logus Ave
"Can I help you, sir? "
Nço thanks I am just looking around
I used to live here
Here in the store?
yep
My childhood home's right on the spot
That room would be about here
Living room over here
That was long time ago before you were born
You're not going to believe this
we used to have tire swing out here
Awful lot has changed since my day
It was still good to be home
very good indeed
" Nçext stop, Florence Kansas"
Where I pay my visit to AU
I haven't been there for years
now it's perfect time to stop by
I even hook up with some kids from my old fraternity
Nçdugu
I highly recommend you pledge a fraternity
when you go to college
After that walk down Memory Lane
it was tourist time
I made my way back to Nçebraska
and stop at historical museum in Brokenbow
to see their fine collection of arrowheads
Later that day
I met a real lndian or native American
we had nice chat about history of the area
He really opened my eyes
" Nçext stop, cody house"
What a remarkable man
you can read about him in enclosed pamphlet
I pull my car over
whenever I feel like taking a break
The other day at antique shop
I came across fine collection of rare hummels