One Chance in a Lifetime
The life story of an Irish Orphan Girl and how she enriched the lives of a family of eight
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
I first met Betty when I was a sophomore in college and came home to Mount Vernon for Christmas break in December 1942. I had lost touch with most of the local girls as I had attended a Catholic high school, Fordham Prep, in New York City and then went to Holy Cross College, also known as “The Cross,” in Worchester, Massachusetts. My brother Jim, who already had a steady girlfriend, mentioned that he had met a real nice gal, Betty Carraher, and that it might be a good idea for me to give her a call.
My first call was not very successful as I spoke to someone who had a foreign accent and was most difficult to understand. She did let me know that Betty was not at home. I tried several times later and finally reached Betty. She told me that I had first spoken to an Armenian lady who worked part-time for the Cambere family. However, of greater importance was the fact that we made a date for the following night.
Early the next evening as I walked up to 5 Willow Place, the door opened and out came Betty. She had the greatest, brightest smile. As soon as we left her house she took my hand in her hers and by her suggestion we headed for a movie theater about a half mile away. We walked both ways, hand in hand, and shared many stories. Betty was not only very friendly, but she was also most gentle and gracious. It was the happiest first date I had ever experienced. Betty and I went out almost every night of my vacation. I later called her Betts and I knew that we were a special couple. I had to go back to Holy Cross and she went to Russell Sage College in upstate New York where she had enrolled that fall. We immediately started to correspond, and I anxiously looked forward to all of her letters.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING HAPPEN ONCE WHICH CAN CHANGE THEIR LIFE FOREVER. SOME TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT AND FIND THEMSELVES TRULY BLESSED. However, too many let it pass by and forever wonder with regret what could have resulted if they had just accepted the challenge and not let the opportunity pass.
I was a young Naval officer recruit when I met a young Irish orphan girl on a blind date. Her childhood had been far different from most young girls as her father was an Irish immigrant who at around sixty years of age married a young lady in her early thirties. Betts was their only child. Unfortunately her mother died when Betts was just two years old and her father died when she was eleven. From the time she was an infant until she was ready for high school, she lived mainly with two orders of Catholic nuns. At that time she became a foster child to a family from Armenia.
After our first date, Betts and I became a close twosome until my Naval duties took me to the South Pacific during WWII. After a separation of close to fifteen months a Dear John letter brought me to my senses of what was really important in my life.
The book recounts how the situation was rectified as we both realized What Could Change Our Lives Forever And Took Advantage Of It. Just prior to our marriage, Betts said she had spent so much of her life alone that she hoped we would have a large family. That request was answered. Her most gracious, friendly nature was appreciated by everyone she met. She was the center of stability for our family as we weathered the uncertainties of my business career and lived in thirteen homes in five states.
About the Author
John Kilsheimer was born in Westchester County just north of New York City. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1941 just prior to the U.S. entry into World War II and was commissioned a Naval officer in February 1944. After serving in the South Pacific in the amphibious forces, he continued his education and received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry. He worked for four different Fortune 500 companies in the agricultural chemical field and authored twenty-four U.S. patents and over one hundred foreign patents. He retired in 1982 as a Senior Vice President of The Scotts Company, a subsidiary of ITT. John and his wife, Betts, then “retired” to Florida and together entered the real estate field. About 10 years later, they finally retired fully and John then pursued his two hobbies: fishing and writing.
To date he has authored four non-fiction books: How The Navy and I Survived Each Other During WWII; Bedtime Stories By Chase (John's miniature schnauzer); Negotiation Techniques to Help Your Family, Your Business, and Yourself; and the present book, One Chance In A Lifetime.
In his latest book, John tells how he met his future wife, Betts, an Irish orphan girl on a blind date. He states, “It was the happiest first date I had ever experienced.” They were happily married for sixty-one years until the Lord called her back to Himself in 2008. Together they had six daughters all in the education profession and to date have eleven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and six foster children in third world countries.