Fortune Favor the Brave!

Fortune Favor the Brave!

After arriving in the USA as a Hungarian Refugee, the Alfa Tau Omega (ATO) Fraternity adopted me in San Jose State College.( Later became University).I already had two master Degree level of Degrees in Hungary and an unfinished other one while I had been working in the Ministry of Education in the Department of Museums, Libraries and Research Institutes. In night classes I studied archaeology art history and museology, however, the Hungarian Stalinist Communist Secret Police interrupted my studies.

In San Jose, California, I enrolled in the local College for the night classes to study for the Art History BA and MA Degrees. From my studies in Hungary I was able to transfer credits and I had to take only credit examination without listening every courses. Therefore, I completed these degrees within two years. The Board or Regents of the University lifted for me the tuition fees, which was a great help.

ATO gave me lodgment and food. Seven of us slept in one room, but at least I had roof over my head and food on the table. To accomplish my future goal to study for the Doctor Degree at the Sorbonne, Paris, France, I had to work some odd job. No other job was available than to be gravedigger in the Oak Hill Memorial Park and Cemetery in San Jose, and to be a part time night janitor in a local high school.

A Hungarian-American gardener of the cemetery gave me the tips about the open job. He warned me, that the office will not let me to talk to the director, if I reveal for them, that I am applying for the grave digger job, because they are giving only for declassed people, former criminals, Mexican illiterates, and so on.

I borrow a black suite from one of my Fraternity Brothers, and with a sorrow face I entered into the office of the cemetery. The secretary wanted to find out why I am there, but I told her that it is not her business; I want to talk to the Director. She saw that I am very determined, and told to the director, that there is a rich looking man who wants to talk to nobody else only him.

Obviously, he was well instructed in the Degree program of Mortuary Science, to express his compassionate look, as he asked me, who died in my family. I answered, that nobody but if I died soon, he have to burry me for free, but after I became a professor he can make money on me. I need job to earn enough money to go to Paris to finish the PhD, and fulfill my goal to be a university professor. His compassionate look changed quickly and look at me with cold eyes.

He answered that he has no office job open. Then, I revealed that I am applying for the unfilled gravedigger position. I told him that among other degrees, I was prepared to be an archaeologist, only the Hungarian Stalinist Communist Secret Police blocked my studies and I spent six years in the political prison camps. I spent three years in solitary confinement and another three years I worked in a coalmine. His face became jovial, and gave me the job. He was amazed; that a refugee with University Degrees willing to work any kind of odd job to achieves his goal witch he set for himself.

Most of my “colleagues” were former common criminals, with such crimes as killing, raping, robbery. They figured out very quickly that I am not one of them, and started to hate and insult me. When they heard that I am university student who had to rush to class after work, they blocked my way, and I was not able to pass with my old junk car. I often sought, that they would stab me one day.

One day I saw that one of the most troublemaker and dishonest gravedigger
sitting and crying on the site of a grave. He started to dig, but he was not able to continue. He told me that he is digging his sister’s grave. I offered him to finish the grave but he first refused by telling that I have to finish my job, and he knows that I have to rush for my class. I persuaded him, that I would be able to finish both in time.

After the grave was done, he asked me why I am moving my mouth while I am digging? I am praying was my answer, and not spitting in the grave or tossing the cigarette buts into the grave. I explained to him that several hundred years ago when the workers cut the stones for preparing to build a Cathedral, the house of God, they also prayed while they were working. As a gravedigger I am preparing the last house of a man or a woman, therefore I was praying. From that time he was kind to me. The others who learned from him about my statement, became extremely helpful, and let me drive out from the cemetery first.

After I received the Master Degree, it was written in the local newspaper that I am prepared to go to Paris, France, to study for the Doctor Degree. On my last working day, My “colleagues” stayed in line in the locker room, and waited for me. I am still very emotional, when I am talking about it. They gave me a standing ovation and a large bagful of gift of shirt, underwear, tooth paste and lot other things to contribute to my success with my studies in France. I embraced each of them. We all cried, than put myself together, made a short pray, and set out my journey to Paris.

Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Alfonz Lengyel, RPA
Sarasota, Florida