Alice....

When I was very young I remember hanging out with my grandparents at their 1920’s American bungalow style home. The dinning room was Tiffany blue with dove white trim. Wall to wall carpet in a complimentary neutral and the long wall of the room was complete floor to ceiling glass. The glass was single pane; you could see all of the little imperfections and squiggles from its hand made quality. Beyond this gallery of windows was a beautifully trimmed lawn, privet hedges, azaleas and camellias in full bloom, and pebble paths lined with mixed plantings of impatients. The crowning glory was the ameba shaped swimming pool that hosted my unique grandmother swimming laps in a swim cap, navy swimsuit, and red lipstick.
Many afternoons were spent lying around next to her on the sofa while she ready books to me in the living room. I remember the way the tapestry fabric twisted and turned and how the leaves of each abstract flower changed color. The chocolate, plush pile, wool carpet always felt so luxurious under my feet, and there always seemed to be a glass of sweet tea available whenever she needed to take a moment to turn the page. Her hands were porcelain white with red nails featuring a sparkling silver ring with an electrifying blue topaz being worshiped my little diamonds encircling it. Her eyes were like the ring, electrifying blue topaz, lined, and very sharp, but softened by what she saw in me. Her personal style was that of a Mrs. O. Lots of navy skirt suits, red and coral lipstick, pill box hats and little clutches. To top it off she drove a Tiffany blue Cadillac, which always remained in the garage, excepts for when she drove to the super market or church.
What I remember about her was how she made me feel verses true visual memories. I remember snippets, like an old black and white reel that has weathered in its can. It has spots. Holes….I felt warm, and I can still hear her heart beating while I lied next to her. Bum, bum……bum, bum….bum.bum. I think that my whole life I have chased that particular feeling of warmth. It’s powerful, connected, electric, yet calm, silent, and pressing. It’s a quiet high of unadulterated love.