Yesterday on the radio they announced that a munchkin had died and that there was only 3 still alive.

The DJ said that one of them lives in the Phoenix area and that she’s a nice lady.
Last night I googled “Munchkin Phoenix” and got her name and address, so this morning I set out to Meet A Munchkin!

Her name is Margaret Pelligreni. She is now 88 years old, and lives in a small cement block house on 61st Ave in Glendale.

I showed up with some potted yellow mums and went to the door. There was a Wizard of Oz welcome plaque hanging by the front door showing the yellow brick road and Emerald City.

A man of about 60 came to the door and I said that I was a fan and would like to give Margaret these flowers. She was at breakfast with a friend and would be back soon. I left the flowers and my business card and came back in about an hour.
When I came back, the same man opened the door and there was Margaret standing near a walker by the dining room table shuffling through papers, and wearing a Wizard of Oz black jacket.

“Hi Margaret,” I said. “I’m David Jerome, I stopped by earlier.”
(Long awkward pause)
“Yeah, so, what do you want?”
“Well, I have two boys flying in tomorrow who are big fans of The Wizard of Oz, and I was wondering if I could bring them by in the afternoon to meet you.”
“I’m going to be away from the house tomorrow afternoon.”
“Oh, okay. Could I take a picture with you to show them?”
“I’ve been out this morning and my hair’s a mess. Anyway I’ve had a few strokes and don’t get around too good anymore.”

“Okay, well, thank you for your time,” and I left her house. I got to my car and the man hollered for me to come back in. I went back and Munchkin Margaret was locating this picture to sign. She kept the picture in a plastic shopping bag inside a chest of drawers. On top of the furniture was a couple dozen pill jars containing Munchkin Margaret’s meds. While she signed it, I attempted a little small talk (no pun intended).

“So, how long have you lived in Glendale?”
(Silence)

I thanked her for the photo and she thanked me for the flowers, and I was gone.
She was definitely cantankerous, and less friendly than I had hoped, but considering that I’m just some random jackass that showed up at her house uninvited, she was pretty nice.