That's Life: A Fashionable Easter Sunday
The Monday after Easter, I went to Williamstown Savings Bank, wanting to put a document in my safe deposit box. Rachel, the lovely young woman who usually helps me, was out to lunch, so Jean Bourne, the receptionist asked another bank employee to see to my needs. I had not yet met that young man, and as I handed him the key to my safe deposit box, he asked what my name is.
And to my surprise, I answered " Phyllis Da — oops, no that's my maiden name."
Trying to figure out what had triggered that error, I realized that on Easter Sunday, I had received calls from several relatives, and we had talked for hours about the "good old days," when we had celebrated Easter together. The days before I married my dear Bill — the days when I was Phyllis Daffee. The days when Mother bought my sisters and me new outfits to wear on Easter Sunday.
When we were very young, my parents did not take photographs of us on Easter Sunday or at Christmastime — not because they did not want to preserve those happy moments on film but they simply could not afford the costs involved in taking photographs.
There is one photograph, however, of my sisters and me with my mother. I, the baby, was sitting on my mother's lap and my sisters were standing on either side of her. I believe it was taken by a photographer, the kind that used to roam the streets of New York City, searching for clients. Who paid for that photograph, I don't know. Perhaps a more financially stable member of the family was visiting, and wanted a keepsake.
Anyway, as we grew older and my parents financial circumstances improved a bit, we were photographed in our Easter finery — suits and hats bought at Alexanders or Orbachs, department stores known for their bargains. Our new shoes came from bins in the stores. Shoes in a pair were attached by heavy string, and when trying them on, we walked like penguins. It's no wonder that when we got home and removed the string, we discovered the shoes did not fit properly. And back we would go the store, to try on larger or smaller size shoes.
When I started earning a salary, money was no object in my quest to be fashionable when walking in the Easter Parade. How I wish wearing dress gloves and hats would be in fashion again. I love both, but now like stockings they are impossible to find. I am uncomfortable in pantyhose, and for me, the name is a misnomer. There is no way I could wear pantyhose, without a real pair of panties underneath. Is that just me?
This year, Easter Sunday was pleasant, weather-wise, but still not warm enough, as far as I am concerned, to go without a coat. So my new dress was covered with a pink coat.
And no, my stockings did not match either my dress or coat. I gave up trying to do that years ago. But, I still like to wear something new on Easter, and just this year, I learned that it is believed that wearing new clothes on Easter brings good luck for the year.
Hmm, maybe this year I will experience that. Hope springs eternal.
Tags: holiday,
