An Abundance of Books

Tiny beads of perspiration were "dancing between the freckles" on my face, or at least that's what I was always told when I was a child. I didn't believe it though. I could feel them slowly running past my nose and landing above my upper lip. That's where they always landed, followed by me occasionally licking them off, if I didn't have any Kleenex handy. Boy were they salty! Life in Florida.

But that was not my only problem. In addition, I just had way too many freckles, everywhere! Even on my tiny toes! However, today was not the day for me to count them. Today was not the day to see how many more had invaded my face overnight. Today was a big day! Mom and I were going on an afternoon adventure, to the big city of Orlando and what's more, we were going to take the bus! I couldn't wait!

Before we left, I peered into the floor length mirror to give myself a good glance. I was wearing my favorite blue dress with yellow daffodils. My white socks with a bit of lace around the ankles and my black patent leather Mary Janes looked just dandy. I was tickled pink! So as far as I was concerned, I was good to go!

Mom had said to me earlier in the day, "Honey, wear your baby blue sundress. You'll be a lot cooler this afternoon." I'm not sure why mom called it my "baby" blue sundress, afterall, I wasn't a baby anymore. It was just a few years prior that mom had given birth to me at Orange Memorial Hospital. I was a big girl now because I was 5 and everybody knows that when you're 5, you are a BIG GIRL...and that's the name of that tune!

This afternoon, mom dressed in her usual pulled-together style, decked out in a straight skirt emblazoned with strawberries and topped off with a classic, starched white, three quarter sleeve blouse. Her hair was pulled back into a perfect chignon and she added faux pearl clip-on earrings to complete the look. In those years, all the ladies and their daughters dressed up if they were doing an afternoon outing on Saturday. You never knew who you might bump into at the local "five and dime," so it was always important to look your Sunday best even though it was Saturday afternoon.

The final touches of CHANEL No 5 were spritzed on, mom grabbed the house keys and we were off!

The bus stop was just a few doors away from our house (but on another street) so on such a hot day it was great not having to walk very far. We were still a one car family at that time and my dad was the one who had the priorities with the car. He managed construction sites for several of the new housing developments that were being built in Winter Park and Azalea Gardens so he needed the car for the day.

We walked around the corner and within a matter of minutes, the bus arrived and screeched to a halt to pick us up. After jumping onto the huge steps, I skipped my way to the back of the bus. Mom quietly motioned for me to return to the front. I didn't understand why because I wanted to sit in the back of the bus! However, not wanting to create a disruptive moment, I complied with her wishes not knowing why. It was months later and prior to another afternoon expedition, that I learned about the black folks and "designated seating" in the south. Blacks in the back, Whites in front. To this day, I still cry with empathy for all that have suffered such injustices. And the injustices still continue. Some changes are much too slow. The tears still flow and flow.

Mom had the entire map of Orlando etched into her brain so I trusted her to get us from point A to point B. She explained that Orlando was filled with many lakes and ponds, some natural and some man-made. This of course added to the charm of the city especially the lakes with the huge fountains in the middle. As we peacefully sat back and relaxed, mom described many places of interest along the way and finally told me where our adventure was going to begin.

The starting point would be at the Albertson Public Library. I had never been to a library before so this was thrilling for me. Apparently, this was a place where you could sign out any book with a special "library card" and borrow the book for several weeks. And there was only one administrative condition, you just had to return the book! Hot diggity dog! I had heard about these places on an after school radio talk show and my parents said I must go for a visit. And here we were. Wow, the building was very impressive.

Upon entering this massive structure, I noticed a distinctive odor. Part musty and part musk. I liked it. A lot. Who knew that at this precise second, I would be inhaling one of my all time favorite sniffing sensations! This special moment was quickly tucked away into my memory bank. I let my mom lead the way and of course she decided to stop first in the children's book section.

At the intersection of bubbly and overjoyed, I was beside myself. I didn't know what shelf to settle next to, so I twirled around several times and plopped down when my dizziness subsided. My mom could see the expression on my face and she too, was happy for me. Even though I couldn't read sentences yet, I could look at the illustrations and pretty much tell what was happening to the characters in the story. I started fingering the nearest books and mom said that she was running upstairs for a few minutes to take out a gardening book. She would be back shortly and we could sign out some books for me too, because she had brought along that all important library card.

A few minutes later, mom came back with her flower book, and I had chosen several books for myself. I knew I would enjoy having my selections read to me at home because I loved all the art work in each book. At that age, I did judge a book by it's cover and needless to say, it took me many more years to learn otherwise. We signed the books out and mom popped them into a canvas tote that she had brought along, just for such an occasion.

Mom said our next destination was the Howard Johnsons soda fountain in Orlando. It was time for a little snack for the two of us. "Reading makes the mind and body hungry," my mom would often say, and I always loved HoJos anyway! We used our transfer tickets to get onto the nearby bus and within short order we were within the coolness of the orange and turquoise color palette. Ahhh, the pleasure of simple tastes!

When it came to feeding me, mom was generous so I chose the picture that displayed the HoJo special. It was the biggest picture in the center of the menu. Naturally, it was a cheese burger with fries and a chocolate milkshake. Whipped cream with a neon red cherry sat on top! Quelle Suprise! Back then, no one ever blinked twice regarding red dye #2, so the more cherries on top, the better! The waitress was sweet that way. Mom and I shared all of it! As we ate, we talked about our fun adventure and about sewing and designing more baby doll clothes for my special dollies. With our afternoon fully satiated, we headed back home.

Right around that same time, mom developed other aspirations. She wanted to fulfill another life dream of hers, by getting a master's degree in education from Penn State University located in State College, Pennsylvania. Eventually our family moved to State College and very quickly we enjoyed the town's charm, the university's glorious architecture and it's stellar array of university sponsored activities. Even though my brother and I were in elementary school, we were able to experience "college life" through the trickle down effect. We knew from the time we were 7 and 8 that we would be going to college, too. It was wrapped into our DNA and gave us an outlook for our futures.

The next 11 school years were jammed and packed with the usual promising or projectile vomiting moments of elementary, middle and high school years. They were loaded with laughter, tears, jealousies, short lived boyfriends, long standing girfriends, a "straight A" grade average and an abundance of books around the house. Year after year, I was the designated driver in the art department and excelled in sports, too. During my senior year, I won an award in a state wide art competition sponsored by Scholastic Magazines, for my painting called, "Hawaiian Harbor." I had never been to Hawaii, but I was able to capture the feelings and the look of one of the boat harbors. The award was a tremendous validation for me and my dedicated mom was beaming at the special winners' dinner.

With the approach of my senior year of high school, I comitted myself to attend Penn State University, too. The early exposure (when mom was getting her degree) was so profound for me that I really didn't feel the need to go anywhere else. However, mom did encourage me to apply to two other colleges just to be "on the safe side." Fortunately, I was accepted.

The summer months bolted by with the speed of a young race horse. I turned around and it was time to pack the trusty, tan station wagon, a classic "woodie." It would be the first time I was leaving the security and safety of my home for so many unknowns.

The actual "move in day" to my college dormitory was filled with lots of excitement, anxieties, struggling with boxes, clothes on hangers, fluffy pillows, my precious Singer sewing machine, art supplies, an envelope of cash and of course the spilling of tears. After the final hugs and kisses and me getting anxious to dash upstairs to meet my new roommates, my mom said one other parting sentence. "Don't forget darling, get to know your librarian!" What? What?!! Not even, "you're a young lady now, keep your legs crossed!" or "don't forget to always take a sweater or jacket on a chilly night!" No, she said, "Get to know your librarian!" I laughed and giggled and smiled to myself as I sprinted up the dormitory steps. Little did I know how invaluable her statement would become throughout my entire life. It morphed into my compass and my north star.

Yes, during college, everyone accessed the library, but then I actually began to get to know my librarians. Tah Dah!! My entire world opened up. As it turns out, these scholars are a wealth of information, just waiting to show and share all they know. I quickly learned to ask for their help no matter what project I worked on. They knew exactly where to go to find that obscure book on Greco Roman gold hair ornaments, books on Chinese export porcelain, or esoteric books on how early oil paints were made and maufactured. Even today no matter what foreign country I explore, I visit the libraries, too.

As the years progressed, my mom and I always remained with our love intertwined like well planted wisteria vines. Strong and thick, we grew to support each other as we aged with all our twists and turns. We held each other's branches and their beautiful blossoms when they grew too heavy or faded or became diseased.

Luckily for me, my mom remained healthy her entire life until her final few weeks. She always recognized the value and importance of good health. Her guiding mantra in life was "health is wealth." That meant no sitting in the sun, no smoking, no alcohol and try to smile and laugh every single day! It worked for her and I've adopted the same guiding lights, with a few alterations. I do engage in several vodka martinis every now and again!

My mom's death occured rather swiftly. She had suffered a mild stroke at her home, followed by a heart attack in the hospital. Death chose to take her in the middle of the night and the hospital called to tell me the news. I shared this with my husband, too. We cried. Wooosh! Eighty eight years done. Finished. Over. I was devastated. When I woke up on Sunday morning it was lightly raining. I just wanted to sit in the summer house near the rose garden, overlooking the pond with the fountain in the middle. That was mom's favorite spot in my house. I opened all the double french doors and peacefully listened to the rain whisper it's messages to me. When the drops subsided, I watched a black swallowtail butterfly begin it's upward journey having just come out of the woods. Oh so gently, it fluttered around the sprays of the fountain then finally made it's way high above the trees until it was out of my sight. I knew this chapter was ending.

Exactly one week later to the day, I was making dinner in the kitchen and listening to classical piano music and some Erik Satie. It was early evening and the outdoor light was fading. The kitchen had many windows and French doors so I could see as much nature as possible. While I was prepping some veggies, I looked over to the back doors. The largest (almost 8 inches in length) most extraordinary white luna moth had attached all it's tiny feet to one pane of glass. It seemed to radiate in all it's pearlescent luster as it preened before me. I was spellbound. We both stared at each other as I slowly approached to get a closer look. I was captivated. Was this mom's final transformation? I guess i'll never really know but I like to think it was.

Throughout life my loving mom liked to say, "don't ever deny youself a good book!" So of course I listened! Books were one of the bright ribbons that bound us together and I am so grateful to have shared that interest with her. After many years of perusing vintage book stores, I now have an abundance of books. One of my favorites in the collection is called, "Wisteria A Complete Guide." It always reminds me of mom.