A Memorable

It was Called Kleins On The Square, but for Ellen and I, it was not only where our Mother bought her two daughters’ clothing, but more importantly, a place where we enjoyed a fun outing.

And one, that was quite unusual because that was also one of the rare moments Mom, Ellen and I shared time without the presence of our kind and generous Aunt.

Yes children are possessive, and both my younger sister and I relished the few moments alone with our Mom,

Kleins on the Square gave us an opportunity to ride the No. Eleven bus down Ninth Avenue to 14th Street followed by an occasional stop at a Chock full of Nuts or a sidewalk vendor for a warm pretzel,

The excursion embedded in memory was the year I was ten, and Ellen was five, That was also the year Mom bought us matching dresses before we departed for two weeks at the bungalow in New Dorp, Staten Island,

The dresses were made of flimsy material, probably a handkerchief fabric with patriotic stripes of red, white and blue emblazoned on both simple identical frocks.

Neither my sister and I have ever forgotten the year we wore them.

The “cousins” were joining us, and the walls of the small bungalow seemed to expand with the sounds of their laughter, and unique humor.

As we sat under the lone crabapple tree on the miniature lawn, the eldest of our four beloved cousins, Bill Hall, said:

“Anne, always remember today. This is the only year Ellen will be five, and you, ten. Remember this moment.”

Both my sister and I always have done that despite the tears, the separations, and the sadness that enveloped our clan like a frothy fog in the years that followed.

Neither Ellen nor I ever relinquished the memory of a year we owned matching dresses that were bought on a shopping trip alone with Mom and worn during an indelible never to be forgotten weekend.

It was also the last summer America was still blessed with peace, love and hope before the clouds of war enveloped a family, a country and the world.