What Would Sherman Say?

Whenever my wife and I are looking for some document, or bill, or just about anything in general, one of us will invariably turn to the other and ask, "What would Sherman Say?"

Sherman was our insurance agent back in 1978 when I had a life insurance policy with American National.

He was a unique looking individual. He was the living incarnation of the old Dudley Do Right cartoon character. About 6'1" or so. He stood impeccably erect and was about as prim and proper a man as I have ever met, before or since. What really made him stand out was his almost heroic looking jaw. I don't remember where he was from but he had a mid west quality about him.

Once a month, either on the first of the month or the fifteenth, he came knocking, to collect the premium (That's the way things were done back in the Flintstone Era). We were always caught off guard  whenever he came knocking.

He would sit on the sofa, patiently, hands clasped together on his lap, while Jeri and I would scour the house looking for the premium booklet. After finding the booklet and paying the premium. We would chat with him a while before he left. As rigid as he was he was a likable guy.

This went on month after month, knocking on the door, sitting patiently on the couch, a 20 to 30 minute (or longer) wait while Jeri and I searched the house. Every once in a while I would yell out "It's around here somewhere Sherman!" or something similarly stupid.

One day he had enough of Jeri and I. I know because that's what he told us.

I couldn't find the booklet one day.

"Sherman, I can't find the booklet!"

He stood to his full hieght and said "Gosh Darn it!! I've had just about enough of you two! Month after month, I come here, you both know I'm coming here and yet you're never ready. Why can't you find a regular spot for your premium book like normal people!!" He was mad and he said more but that was the gist of it.

We practically jumped backed when he said that. I don't quite remember my exact response but it was probably something like "I don't know!"

Jeri and I scurried back to the room, whispering (and blaming each other). We finally found it and when we went back to the front room he has back to his old rock jawed pleasant self.

Let me add this. I was 24 at the time. When you are young, everyone else looks old. He may have been in his late 30's, 40's or maybe even 50. His attitude and warmth toward us was always fatherly, including his scolding.

You can believe me when I tell you that was the last "Goshed Darned" time we made him wait!

We still think of Sherman often.