Many of the entries in the decaying autograph book begin the same way: "Dear Ola Mae." Though some 75 years that have elapsed, a timeless quality about human needs and feelings comes through clearly. Even as in Ola Mae's day, we still desire sincere friendships and still want to be liked. These thoughts — so fresh and meaningful when they were written — speak for themselves across the decades:
Don't get peeved at us, and come to see us Christmas, 1923. — Irma
Yes, Irma, I am quite peeved. But as to you, I ask that you still remain as a close friend. — Ola Mae
I'm "Mrs." now but hope you love me just the same. — Myrtle
Although we don't live close together, I hope we shall be close friends. — Muriel
Do you love me? Yes, I'm crazy about you. — Your Auntie Mary
When you have finished here and go out into the wide, wide world, will you always remember me? — Lilyanne
I realize that I'm a pest, but you do love me just a little, don't you? Well, I love you, just like a hog loves slop or better, and I surely have had some good times at your house. Love me? — Clare
Always remember your classmate at business college who couldn't write dictation and always count on her being your friend. — Mary
Can you remember when we first met? We've been friends for a long, long time. Here's hoping we remain the same through thick and thin. — "Lingo"
Please remember me and my good qualities, few as they are, for I will always think of you as one of the sweetest girls I ever knew (and I mean it). — Bernice
When the golden sun is setting and your mind from care is free, while of others you are thinking, will you sometimes think of me? — Flora
I'm your seatmate while in bookkeeping, and although we've idled several moments with amusing thoughts and words we've spent there happily, we don't count them "lost," do we? In your golden chain of friendship, please regard me as a link. — Geneva
It's been a long time since I wrote in here so I'm writing again to tell you that I still love you, only lots more, and I hope my plans will somehow or other work out as perfectly as yours have. Do you reckon they will? Well, anyway I have a good example to follow in you. — Clare
I don't know anything else about Ola Mae, but it's only natural to wonder about her. Was she successful in maintaining the friendships that seemed so intense and personal in her youth? And did her plans continue to work out perfectly? I hope so. The cares of this world and the urgency of the moment have an almost irresistible way of creeping in and spoiling the important … if we allow them.
Copyright 1999 James McAlister
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