Whimsy and whammy

This month’s column comes to you under the auspices of current events. As most of you know, I’ve written the book “Petals from Roseland: Fond memories of Chicago’s Roseland, Pullman and Kensington neighborhoods.” I’ve sold more than 1,000 copies of the book, and I still have copies available for purchase.

Recently, one of my readers contacted me via email to tell me how much he enjoyed the book. He then asked me a question that led to this column: “Have you sent a copy of your book to the pope?” I hadn’t even thought of it, but it was a logical question considering the following.

Robert Prevost didn’t attend Roseland’s Mendel Catholic High School, but his mother was the school librarian from 1969 to 1975. His two brothers did attend Mendel while he went to the Augustinian Seminary for high school. We can imagine that he and his brothers spent time in Roseland shopping on “The Ave,” either waiting for their mother or shopping with her.

The prospect of sending a copy of my book to Pope Leo began to dance whimsically in my mind. I thought about it for a few days. Meanwhile, Chicago’s mayor was gearing up to visit the pope: a bit of information that escaped my attention. After considering the project for a week or so, I decided that there would be no harm in sending a copy of my book to the pope.

By the time I put things in motion, it was Memorial Day weekend. I had heard on the news that the mayor’s group was leaving on Tuesday. I completed prepping the book and a brief message for shipment Monday morning and decided to run it downtown in case someone at City Hall might give the package to the mayor’s group to bring along. Unfortunately, the building was locked down and devoid of personnel.

As an aside, I met a foursome of college guys and girls from Iowa who were heading south on LaSalle looking for some Chicago excitement. They struck up a conversation with me about my dogs, telling me they decided to come to Chicago on a whim for the day. I told them everything was closed in the downtown area, but if they headed back north, there were quite a few restaurants and entertainment venues in River North that were probably open. With that bit of information, they turned and headed north to cross the river.

As I headed to the car with my dogs, the thought occurred to me that I could give them a ride and save them the extra mile and half walk since they had already walked quite a bit. I headed north on LaSalle and found the four of them stopped and discussing where to go. I pulled up and offered them a ride straight up LaSalle.

The one young lady, who was the wisest looking, was very accepting, but one of the guys seemed frightened of taking a ride from a big city stranger. I asked if he thought my dogs were going to attack him and he repeated his “No, we’re okay.” Considering that I was trying to get a copy of my book to the pope via the mayor and that I was heading back to my job in Pullman as a hospital security guard, the entire episode was pretty humorous, but I accepted their decision and drove on.

Tuesday morning, I made it a point to have my breakfast and feed my pets promptly so I could get to our good old Roseland Post Office at 110th and State Street. Yes, it is the same post office we grew up with. I first emailed the archdiocesan office to determine if there was a special courier they used or if they could give me the correct papal mailing address.

Fr. Pat Gorman was very helpful with the correct Vatican address: Pope Leo XIV, Vatican City, 01200. That was it, a very simple straight forward address for all mail to the Vatican — or so I thought!

Due to the holiday weekend, there were no customers in the post office — my lucky day! There was only one window open and the clerk was looking at her phone when I approached. I slid my package across the counter and she asked if it was a book — good guess. She then proceeded to input the information on the mailing label, then came the whammy.

“What’s the address?” she asked. Just as it is on the label, I replied. She: “That’s not the zip code.” Me: “That’s the Vatican address.” She: “It’s not the zip code.”

I called the archdiocesan office and the operator repeated the exact address on my label. I googled the address and returned to the clerk with all the verification I could find. She refused to assist me any further and told me once again, “That is not the zip code.” I said, “The Vatican does get mail. So, you’re not going to help me any further?” With that, she gave me her final “No.” With that I left.

Refusing to accept defeat, I headed straight to the South Holland Post Office where, once again fortune smiled on me and there was no one in line. The woman clerk graciously took my book package and weighed it. She looked at the address, and I explained it was a book going to Vatican City.

She began to process the package and asked me to verify the address one more time, which I did. She took a minute or two and then mentioned that it needed a continent listing, which would be Europe. Since it was going to Europe, the package also required a customs form, which she had to verify along with a couple of other postal requirements.

While she was busy with those details, I googled more information and found some tips on mailing to the Vatican. The major tip being not to expect any kind of answer or notification of receipt of your item for about six months. By the time I read that fact and absorbed the information, I was just happy to complete sending the book. That was when this very helpful and pleasant clerk informed me that sending my $20 book to Pope Leo XIV on a whim would cost me an additional $70. I gladly paid the fee to complete the project,

When I thanked the South Holland clerks and informed them of my dealings with the Roseland postal clerk, the three clerks responded in unison with, “She didn’t want to do the work!” Despite the whammy of dealing with the Roseland postal clerk, I prevailed, knowing that, like the Blues Brothers, I was on a mission from God!

“Petals from Roseland: Fond Memories of Chicago’s Roseland, Pullman and Kensington Neighborhoods” is available from me for anyone interested in sharing or revisiting their life Roseland at $20 + $5 s&h via cash, check, Zelle. Contact me at petalsfromroseland@gmail.com or 11403 S. St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60628; 773-710-3559. My book is also available at D & D Foods, 1023 S. Halsted, Chicago Heights; at Miles Books, 2819 Jewett Ave., Highland, Indiana; and at Bookie’s New and Used Books, 10324 S. Western Ave, Chicago.