A-Z April Challenge R is for My Secret Fantasy

What do you want to be when you grow up?  
Like all kids, when asked that question, I probably answered many different ways.  But growing up in the late 1950's and early 1960's, I'm sure my answer was NOT policeman, fireman, doctor or lawyer.  
During that era, I most likely would have chosen teacher, "MAD Men" executive secretary or Mommy.
But, I did have a secret fantasy.  Perhaps, because of my affinity with story telling, I was drawn to the glamourous world of newspaper reporting.  
Okay, I admit it.  It had nothing to do with my made up "once upon a time" stories.  It was her.  It was Brenda Starr Reporter.  She was my inspiration.

Typically, young women of my generation, would most likely marry our high school sweet heart, after he finished college or completed his stint in the armed forces.

But, do you know how you have that one teacher, the one who sees something in you that no one else has seen before?

That teacher for me was Clarence Jolly, Jr.
Mr. Jolly was my high school English teacher.

When I shyly answered his question of what I wanted to do after high school, he told me that I absolutely should pursue a career in the field of my choice because I had the skills to do it.

 
My father had other plans for me, though.  College was not an option.  "Besides, he said, you got such good grades in Typing and Stenography."
"You should become a secretary."
Also, of course,  there was Larry, my high school sweetheart.   Our plans included waiting for him to finish college, serve his mandatory time in the military and then we would marry.

Well,  newspaper journalism was not in the cards for me, but, neither was Larry.

My memories of reading the daily comic strip have faded along with my Brenda Starr Reporter fantasies.  But, she did capture my imagination and filled, this then young girl, with dreams of  maybes and what ifs.

And I will never forget Mr. Clarence Jolly, Junior.

The following excerpt was taken from Wikipedia

Characters and final storylines

Brenda has always been a modern woman, noted for her exotic adventures and steamy romances. Dale Messick and later artists concentrated on keeping Brenda contemporary in clothing and hairstyles. Before Messick retired, Brenda finally married the mysterious Basil St. John, whose eye patch and black orchid serum have been a regular plot element Shortly thereafter, Brenda had Basil's baby, a girl named Starr Twinkle St. John. Brenda and Basil divorced, and sparks flew when they met again. During one of Basil's reappearances, Brenda discovered Basil had a son, named Sage, with the talk show host, Wanda Fonda. That marriage also ended in divorce. Brenda and Wanda became good friends. Eventually, Brenda was promoted from reporter to editor.

I am participating in the A-Z April Challenge.
Today's letter is R.
Lynda Starr Reporter