Lois Daniel and the Queen of England

Lois Daniel was my great aunt from Cushing in East Texas. She was born in 1899 and hoped she would live to at least the year 2000 so she could say she had lived in three centuries. She almost made it but passed away at age 98. 

A walking history book, she took down some boxes of photos once when I visited her, and told me one by one who they were and a little about them. Now and then she would come across a photo of a handsome gentleman and say, “I almost married him.”  Then another handsome gentleman and say, “I almost married him.” And once more she pulled out a photo of another she almost married. After so many times I wanted to ask her, “Why?” but she was already off on another subject. I loved to be around her and just listen to her talk about family history. 

Turning down so many handsome men was sad enough, but then she told me something much sadder. In January of 1944 Aunt Lois was teaching in the panhandle of Texas when she received word that her mother was very ill and not expected to live. With help from many people (except those handsome men she turned down), every effort was made to get her home to Cushing. The panhandle, however, was having the worst snowstorm in years and every possible way out was exhausted.  Eventually, she did make it home but not before her mother had passed away and was buried.

The Queen

But the most incredible story I ever heard about her happened in 1965. Aunt Lois Daniel and her niece Rita traveled from Cushing, Texas, to England and went straight to Buckingham Palace just to see Her Majesty, the Queen. They walked to one huge set of doors and knocked but were denied entrance, so they left their calling cards. They had the calling cards made up especially for this occasion before leaving Texas. You see, Aunt Lois and Rita had heard on TV that the way to see someone important in England was to leave your calling card if they weren’t home. So they walked and walked all around the palace leaving their cards everywhere hoping to catch the Queen, perhaps sitting in her back yard having tea and crumpets with Prince Phillip.  

Finally, someone took pity on them and summoned the Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting. She was very kind and explained to them that the Queen was preparing to leave shortly from a certain gate. They hurried over there and excitedly waited. Suddenly, a royal car approached with just enough time to wave to the Queen and actually see her wave back to them. And in the queen’s hand were about a dozen of their calling cards in her hand! Aunt Lois and Rita weren’t disappointed though, but rather excited. It had been explained further on TV that the custom in England was for the person who received your calling card would then pay you a visit. Aunt Lois and Rita rushed back to their hotel and changed their airline tickets to return home the same day they came. 

After all, they had to go home and prepare for the Queen’s arrival!