1971
was one of the most perfect years of my life health, looks and
financial wise. Bernie and I were so busy we didn't realize that our
personal partnership was going under and I made the decision to go into
therapy to find out why I had been fat, among other things.

We
were making money hand over fist, were getting requests from other
franchisees to come and speak to their members and staffs. Our staff was
growing by leaps and bounds to the extent that we had to have 2-3 staff
meetings a  year with everyone attending and a formal holiday dinner
and dance. I was also taking off from July 15 to-August 15 as my
vacation time and staring to take fantastic trips by myself as I liked
to do.

There
were many events that happened in 1971 that were memorable but looking
through my folders two came rushing back to me. One was a young lady I
guided to a goal weight by losing over 200 pounds. I often wonder what
happened to her because we lost touch with each other. She had fallen in
love with me, a psychological thing, but when I explained that it
wouldn't be she didn't handle it very well. I know she went in for
surgery to have the excess skin removed which led to problems when she
started to put weight back on. I stood beside her, helped as much as I
could but then she disappeared. Has she kept the weight off? Is she
still alive today? I don't know.

The
other event that happened was the visit of Jean Nidetch to Weight
Watchers of Greater Memphis, September 16, 1971. We had reached the
point of success that she couldn't/wouldn't say no to our invitation and
from meeting her at the airport to a staff dinner in her honor and an
open meeting at the Music Hall with an overflowing audience of people
not only from Tennessee but also from Arkansas, Mississippi and
Missouri.

I
still have the personal letter she sent me thanking me, acknowledging
my work for the organization, for the help I gave so many fat people and
for how welcome I made her feel. She said she knew that I was the
spokesperson for the franchise and that it was my image that drew people
into the WW program.

The picture above is of Bernie (left), Jean in the middle and myself on the right at a time when all was well with the world little knowing what was ahead. (I do need a new camera!!!)