| by Catherine Carver ~ 1996 |
| It's human nature for people to fall in love, and as a token of that love exchange symbols that express the emotion of the heart. Rings, customized tee-shirts, love letters, poetry, cards, and flowers are among the top choices of young lovers for gifts chosen to declare the intent to be together forever. Some of these treasured momentos make their way into the attic where they become secrets to be unfolded by future generations. My first remembrance of love takes me back to the fourth grade and Mrs. Catherine Laden's class, Nassakeag Elementary School, Long Island, New York. Danny DeAgrosa captured my heart. I can still see him in his softball uniform and ball cap. He had a petite build but was very athletic and chose to play softball each day at recess instead of tag. Playing tag was the game of choice of boys and girls when they wanted to interact without being obvious. My best friend Eva Dyer would play tag, but unlike myself, Eva was a tomboy and after a run around the playing field, she joined the boys in their softball game, and in doing so, she won Danny's heart. The experience of losing my first love to my best friend is remembered every time I look at our fourth grade class picture, which is safely protected in my family's photo album. And this essay is dedicated to all of the loves of our life, past, present and future. Through reflection, we can continue in love, or a quest for true love, and with faith that love is waiting just around the corner, we surely will have wonderful life adventures. Unfortunately in these days, not many couples achieve, as my parents did, their 50th wedding anniversay. A celebration marked forever in the momentoes tucked within the walls of their home, some which have found their way to the attic, but most inside our family's heart. |
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