Ladies and Gentleman, Good Morning.  It is a pleasure to meet with you in your Toastmasters Meeting today.  My name is Evelyn Horne Simons.  My granddaughter, Janine Simons, asked me if I would come speak to you.  I told her I would be happy to do so. 

The year before my death, I lived with Janine and her parents here in the Portland area.  Janine and I had many talks during that time and we grew to be close friends.  Ten months after I died, (forgive me if I tend to jump around from past toe present.  It’s hard to fit 89 years into a few short minutes) Janine finished my history entitled, “Evelyn Horne Simons – a Life in Retrospect.”  I’d like to share with you today some of my life experiences from this compiled history. 

I was born in 1893 in Salt Lake City, the youngest of 9 children. My childhood is filled with memories of games, laughter, and activity.  Later, dating became a part of my life.  I was able to relate to some of Janine’s own experiences during the year I lived with her.  But it was from an “acquaintance” that I received a proposal of marriage. 

I was in my early 20’s when Major Simons, Major being his first name, moved into our neighborhood.  He was out of town a great deal so we didn’t see much of each other.  I then moved to New York to be with my sister.  It was there that I received that special letter. 

Major had gotten my address from a card I had sent to his sisters and made good use of it.  He told me in the letter that he was thinking seriously about getting married and wanted to know if I would be interested.  This was quite a surprise stating it mildly, because he’d never paid any special attention to me.  I knew his family well, his sisters being some of my best friends.  I certainly couldn’t do better than that.  After much consideration (which included getting opinions from all those who knew Major) I finally gave my consent.  That started more correspondence between us. 

When we met at the train in Ogden, Utah several months later, he surely looked pale.  I guess I did too.  We were married in November 1920. 

Life was not always easy, as I’m sure you know.  Out of six pregnancies, only four children lived to adulthood. One baby was stillborn and Weldon Richard died just one month before his 2nd birthday. He was a tiny, frail child and stayed with us as long as he could.  I held him in my arms after he had died and thought how sad that he could not have lived longer.  My strong religious belief in a life after death helped me through that time.  I knew that I would see Weldon again. 

A week later, more bad news came.  My father passed away.  Richard Stephen Horne was a great man, having crossed the plains with the Mormon Pioneers at the age of 3.  A teacher most of his life, he inspired many students, myself being one of them.  It was difficult to lose a son one week and my father the next, yet I grew because of those experiences. 

With the passage of time, it does go by quickly doesn’t it, Major and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.  Yet, a year later he too passed away.  It was terrible to be alone and I deeply missed my dear husband.  Friends and family members were a great strength during that time.  No one is truly alone if there are loved ones nearby. 

A few years later, I renewed a friendship with Grant Fox.  Grant had married a childhood friend of mine and we had been friends for years.  Olive, his wife, had passed away not long before Major.  The friendship grew and a 2nd marriage for both of us took place.  The bride was 82, the groom 83.  Companionship is so essential in your later years.  I am grateful that Grant was there at the time that I needed him. 

It was then in July of 1982 that I passed away at the age of 89.  Having lived in many parts of the country, I was at home, at last, buried in Sale Lake City next to my beloved companion Major and our two sons who had gone before us. 

I have shared with you these experiences that you might find joy in your own lives and know that the pain and heartache you may feel does not last forever. 

I see that my time is up and I must go.  Janine entitled this presentation “A Voice from the Past”.  Perhaps it has been a helpful voice for your present and your future.