Story as recalled by Shirley Adriana Akiaten-Chrisman:

"My memory with this photo takes me back to the apartment were we lived in Los Angeles. I distinctly remember that day. I was seated on an old wooden chair by my Mother. She started combing my hair. It was so very long, and I remember how it seemed difficult to comb the tangles of the long strands. My Godfather Phillip soon arrived. He looked so handsome!. He told me we were going to get our picture taken. He was telling my Mother how he wanted my hair done. Whatever he requested, I could tell, my Mom did not agree. My Mom would comb my hair, stop, say a few things to him, and then continue on. This went on, for what seemed to be forever. Finally when she was finished with my hair, it was done up in a pony tail.

I loved my Godfather Phillip so much. I have such incredibly fond memories of him. Everytime I would see him it was always a special moment for me. He was a quiet, gentle man. So loving and patient. I was the only one in the family with a different Godfather. Everybody else had Johnny (Vios) as their Godfather. It made me feel adopted sometimes. Also.... it was the basis of being teased by my brothers and sisters.... oh yes.... I remember being teased about that!.... but I had something special with Phillip. He was my special Godfather... and when he would come to visit me, I would have his total undivided attention. Nobody else existed when he was there to see me, and I knew it.

As with many other friends of my Dad, Phillip was a World War II friend. After the war, Phillip took his savings/retirement money and purchased a big chunk of land on Beaudry and First St. in Los Angeles (which is now the Downtown Financial area). He cleared what was once an empty lot and turned it into a beautiful garden where he grew Carnations commercially. He grew every color imaginable, and every variety possible. What was once a dry empty lot, was now a green lush garden of delight!.... especially for me!

I remember running through what seemed to be acres and acres of flowers --- such an abundance of flowers!!! of all colors too! That is why I LOVE watching the Wizard of Oz soooo much!... because I can relate to it. It reminds me so much of the times when I would run through fields and fields of beautiful flowers --- rainbows, and rainbows of lush, abundant flowers!

We arrived at the photographer, and the first thing to be done was to get rid of that pony tail!! My Godfather and the photographer were not too gentle. They tried to yank the loop out of my hair and it seemed as if my entire head was being pulled from my neck. I started crying and wouldn't stop.... PANIC! Suddendly, a smart woman came along --- I think she worked with the photographer. She started talking to me with the "Betty Boop" doll (in the photo). I had never seen such a doll --- with eyes bigger than mine --- and with funny stripped clothes --- yes --- it distracted me and my crying slowed down to a wimper while my hair was gently been combed out. It was now time to take pictures. No --- I would not let go of the doll. As a compromise, my gentle loving Godfather Phillip let me take the photo with the Doll. Its just like him to do something like that! I love that man! My Godfather Phillip.

That's the story of the photo with me, my Godfather, and the doll"