A Wedding Weekend

      Editor: Dave Uphoff

I am not going to bother you with the details of the weddings but rather would like to crow a little bit about the brides in each wedding. My niece Jeannie and her husband Chris have very strong religious beliefs and will be starting their married life working together as missionaries to help the poor and needy in the inner city of Minneapolis. I wish them well and congratulate them on choosing a life of serving others, something that is not common in this materialistic age of ours.

Judy's daughter Melanie and her husband Rod are living in Davenport, Iowa where Melanie works as a purchasing agent for a large department store. Judy and I are very proud of Melanie because she has succeeded in a profession normally populated with college graduates.

Melanie had hearing difficulties and then ADD, attention deficit disorder, which went undiagnosed until junior high. This set of cirumstances resulted in her not receiving the proper treatment and help she required in order to overcome this condition. Subsequently, her academic performance suffered. After high school she attended college and then worked in a hospital in the emergency room and operating room. A few years ago Judy and I suggested she interview for a job at a department store as she is a very attractive woman who dresses well and we felt she would make a good sales person. We were right.

Melanie was hired by, a very upscale department store in Normal, IL, as a sales clerk. Soon she became one of their best sales persons. So much so that, after a three years, she was promoted to a position as a buyer at the home office in Davenport, Iowa. Since then she has set sales records for her purchasing division and has dramatically increased the profits of the company with her acumen in knowing what the customer wants.

          
                        Daryle Uphoff and his daughter Jeanne

Melanie has gone on to become a top purchasing agent for a major department store - a true success story. What is wonderful about her success is that she was able to utilize a unique talent that no amount of training or education can give you. She has a talent for picking out trends and styles in clothing that she knows the consumer will buy. It is a God given talent much the same as being a good artist. Thankfully, Melanie perservered to find her niche despite the obstacles she faced in earlier years.

Melanie's story shows that you do not need a college degree to succeed. Rather, perserverence, hard work, and discovering your true talents will also bring you success. I do not want to short change the importance of a college degree for that is required in some areas. Judy's son Eric Olson has a masters degree in Chemistry and is employed by Eli Lily, one of the major pharmaceutical firms in the country. She is just as proud of her son Eric in his success.

I know that I have been tough on the younger generation in my previous editorials but I must mention that both couples who were married this weekend are squeaky clean as they all eschew tobacco, drugs, and alcohol and have strong religious beliefs. That is more than I can say for myself when I was their age, which gives me hope for the next generation.

The highlight of my nieces's wedding was my brother Daryle's emotional toast to his lovely daughter that brought tears to many at the reception. Melanie's father, Bruce Olson, died 7 years ago and did not get to witness her success but would have been very proud of her. If he were here today he would have toasted her accomplishments. Therefore, in her father's absence I am giving Melanie this toast which she so richly deserves. It was a good weekend.

               
                                         Melanie (Olson) Claeys

 

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