2 little whos
(he and she)
under are this
wonderful tree
smiling stand
(all realms of where
and when beyond)
now and here
(far from a grown
-up i&you-
ful world of known)
who and who
(2 little ams
and over them this
aflame with dreams
incredible is)
-e e cummings
This picture looks like it belongs on The Wonder Years introduction video… the faces robotically moving, smiling, film cracking and fading out of view. The kids pictured are my Aunt Pam (center) oldest of the Scholla 7, my uncle Don to her right (second oldest) and younger brother Jim to the far left, dressed one sunny Easter Sunday morning in brand new outfits annually purchased by their Grandmother Tappan (my Great Grandmother).
There’s something about this image… the lure of sweet Sunday afternoons, children in suits and dresses, a proud sister, maybe walking to church together as a family, the sounds of Grandma in the kitchen cooking Easter dinner. Although I wasn’t at this place, I know these people and can feel similar memories. Even if the image is just a couple of kids you don’t know, think back to the things the image represents- see the sunlight across the grass and breathe in the familiarity… collecting your own childhood memories in response (‘far from a grown -up i&you-‘).
I used to long for Easter to arrive every year. Mostly when I think about it now the warmth of the beautiful sunshine that it always brought back then, and going to church in a brand spanking new outfit. They all felt sooooooo good. I love my brothers and sisters too.