Memories of Bayside

"The Summer of Dappled Leaves" is the first chronicle from my book, "True Love."

I’ve named the summer of 2008, “The Summer of Dappled Leaves”.

I grew up in Bell Park Gardens in Bayside, Queens, in the 1950’s and the summer months were inextricably linked to my childhood. I remember the summer light – shimmering and dancing off the leaves and grass like a pulsating kaleidoscope. 

Time seemed to stand still in the summer and I remember people and nature immersed in the quietness and stillness of the summer haze.

As a child I loved to read and write, I loved my school, P.S. 46 and I loved my library, the Windsor Park Library on Bell Boulevard and Union Turnpike. I spent many happy hours in the children’s reading room, reading all the Nancy Drew mysteries, "Robinson Crusoe," "Gulliver’s Travels," "Black Beauty" – all the kid classics.

I loved the smell and feel of the books, I loved the texture of the covers and bindings and I especially loved being transported elsewhere.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that in “The Summer of Dappled Leaves," the summer of 2008, I found myself walking down the steps to the children’s reading room of the Windsor Park library – back to Bayside, back to my childhood.

As I was waiting for the Number 46 bus outside of the library for my return trip home, the skies took on a dark and threatening hue and following a loud clap of thunder, the heavens opened up and a beautiful summer rain started falling. 

Just like in my childhood.