03/28/2021
Once in a while one comes across a snippet showing strength of character that makes you stop, and smile...
Imagine the scene on the lawn at the White House.
The legendary interior designer, Sister Parish, just added some finishing touches to the Kennedy residence. She was a force on her own.
Here's how she describes her interaction with a group of President Kennedy's confidants:
"...As I was closing the door to leave for Washington, suddenly the biggest helicopter I had ever seen dropped out of the sky. It was marked U.S. NAVY, and out stepped a dozen men, most of the President's closest advisors.
As they approached the house, I heard myself saying:
"You cannot enter this house. It isn't finished, and I won't allow a single soul to enter until it is."
A look of surprise mixed with anger came over their faces.
"Who the hell are you?"
I told them my name was Sister Parish, and orders were orders.
They were not to enter.
It ended happily ... they removed their shoes and agreed not to sit on anything...when their inspection was over, they invited me back in their helicopter...for some inexplicable reason, I said, "The Pentagon". They called ahead to have a White House car meet me there"
