Firecracker Summer

I can’t remember how old I was when Lois and David came to stay for the summer with my Nana and Aunt Arlene, but my memory tells me that that’s when the wide brimmed red hat appeared at the house along with the little painted sign on Arlene’s dresser that stated The Red Hat Society pledge.

I had never heard of the red hat society, at fourteen or fifteen, but I liked the idea of women over fifty pledging themselves to humor, silliness, laughter, and fun. I spent my summers in the company of women much older than me on a usual basis in my early teens, but Lois was a particular firecracker who swooped in that summer with her big smile and raspy voice, who knew how to laugh and get my Aunt Arlene and Nana to laugh too.

Lois’ son David was grown and knew more about the presidents that anyone I’d ever met. Lois had taught him to read when he was a child after doctors told her that he probably wouldn’t be able to. She took the dark world, installed a switch where there wasn’t one, and made it bright as glitter in the sunshine.

Lois and David were esteemed guests that summer, one during which I remember smiling and socializing a lot with Lois and her sisters. We’d go to hear Joe Finn play on the boardwalk on Wednesday nights and eat ice cream cones while neighbors and children danced to a mix of covers, Irish folk songs, and familiar childhood tunes that I associated with Raffi. I remember seeing Sarah, the local trash-treasure collector, dancing to the music in a silver mini skirt. She must have been eighty then. I secretly wondered if she had a big red hat at home.

This summer, I’ve had the pleasure of spending a couple of evenings in the exuberant company of women who are a little older than me and I am reminded of that painted sign on Arlene’s dresser- the one pledging to have fun. My new friend, Kim, told me that I looked good in a hat at our last gathering. She reminds me a little of Lois and maybe that, along with the fact that I was having such a great time, was what linked this summer to my memory of that one from over half a lifetime ago.

I love catching up with this group of women, each of whom is so interesting, lovely, and fun to talk to. I feel a fortunate audience to their stories, shared memories, and hilarity and sometimes find myself wishing I’d been there to partake in their experiences firsthand. It’s pure fun to be around people who are so genuinely happy to be in each other’s company. To be welcomed into their “society” of sorts makes me feel lucky. I suppose my soul fits in, like everyone else amongst them. An open heart, big smile, and eagerness to be part of the crew helps to fill any gaps that exist, numerical or otherwise. I only hope to prioritize fun, humor, and silliness at every number I’m lucky enough to go by… and maybe I’m not not thinking about finding a big red hat to serve as a vibrant reminder to do so.

Thank you to the all of the firecracker women who inspired this post for making my summer brighter (past and present). You are glitter in the sunshine and I appreciate your willingness to include me in your fun!