How much has changed in one hundred years?

Today, I am paying honor to my parents and their long lived love for the Lord and each other.

It was written of Henry Ramsey Wilson, "What a fine Christian man! That's why he went so for in the business world - he worked hard and was honest. His bosses could depend on his every word as being true." What a wonderful thing to say about someone. His success in the retail world was not because of wile or guile, but hard work and a sense of fairness for everyone.

He started in retailing as a stock boy at the F.W. Woolworth store in Corsicana Texas in 1923. He was 15 years of age. He retired in the Woolworth Building in New York in 1973 - fifty years! I can remember my folks getting Christmas cards from people who worked for my dad throughout his career. From former secretaries to corporate executives - worldwide, they all had fond memories of Henry and Kay.

Back in those early days in Corsicana, the Woolworth store was the place to go for almost anything a person wanted, except for groceries, perhaps. There were sundries, household supplies, bits of hardware, candy and those hot, fresh cashews. MMMMM!

At the candy counter one could purchase as much as you could afford. "A nickel's worth of marshmallow peanuts, please" or on a good wintry day, "a dime's worth of chocolate covered raisins. I've got a date!" Behind the counter, carefully weighing treats by the scoop, making change and noticing the young assistant manager, was Kathryn Elizabeth Fields.