A Kite and A Memory

I often wonder how a single image can transform you in an instant to another time, another place and the memories come flooding back so quickly, they catch you off guard. That happened to me this afternoon driving home from work. A simple image was all it took.

I passed an open field as I made my way home from work today and what caught my eye was the kite flying overhead. A simple kite, flying on Easter Sunday. It was a family with two small children, flying the kite. A look was all it took for a memory of an Easter Sunday long ago when I was a little girl to flood my mind.

My grandma used to purchase Easter baskets for the grand kids. They were always usually plastic or straw, filled with jelly beans and plastic toys and wrapped in shiny cellophane. My mom used to make our baskets, and while those were great, there was a certain thrill from the store bought ones my grandma gave us that was unmatched to anything else. I don't know why. One Easter I had a kite in mine and being the tomboy that I was, I thought it was cool. I still remember that kite, it was red, white and blue with big stars. It was exactly the style as this one below.......

Do you remember these paper kites? They were rolled up around the wood pieces wrapped in plastic. You could find them at the local neighborhood store for about 5 cents back then. I think at some point of my childhood, I even had this very kite. I always liked the boyish kites. But today, for a fleeting instance on my drive home, I remembered that Easter Sunday afternoon when my dad and uncle tried to get the kite up in the air, and when they did, how nervous it made me to fly it. I remember being afraid it would take off and I'd be attached to the other end holding the string. What a weird memory to have.

I had forgotten all about that kite, or any kites for that matter, a memory long lost with my age. But it came flooding back to me today, and I felt a little melancholy at the memories. Along with the thoughts of Easter baskets and kites of long ago, came an overwhelming sense of sadness. A sadness for the people and times long gone, and cherished holiday traditions never to be again.

Funny, how on the brink of a totally normal day, it took a kite to remind me of the loved ones I miss dearly, and even though I felt a sting of sadness, I also felt grateful in the same instant. Grateful for the wonderful grandparents and family I had growing up, who made happy memories and traditions for me as a child. I know they could never have known the impact they had on my life. Nor, could they have imagined how a simple object would spark a memory of precious times long ago.


How very lucky and blessed I am to have had a grandma who made holidays special for everyone, and who's family, back then, loved each other and enjoyed being together. I miss you memaw.....more than you could ever imagine......and I am so thankful you were my grandmother. Happy Easter!

Lastly, how wonderful to be reminded of a great love and wonderful memories, and finding it the simplest of things.