Naleighna Kai's Literary Cafe Magazine NK Literary Cafe Magazine - April 2018 Issue | Page 50

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MEMORIES OF EASTER
Spending at least a month memorizing an easter speech, getting my hair pressed the night before and making sure not to
mess up said speech. — Shannan Harper
Growing up in the south, I remember Easter being a test in endurance. The exam started on Saturday morning with a
4-hour hair pressing appointment in Mrs. Johnson’s non-air conditioned kitchen. Afterwards, I was expected to walk
back home without, ‘sweating out’ my black patent-leather curls. Did I mention I grew up in Florida and Mrs. Johnson
lived 8 blocks south of us? When I arrived home, the next endurance test was to play outside, while the women pre-
pped Sunday dinner, without getting sand in my hair. If I survived Saturday without me and Jesus weeping because I
inadvertently flew off the merry-go-round to face plant in the dirt, then I advanced to the final round. Easter Sunday
meant I had to dress in a pastel, frilly contraption with more layers than my Aunt Dolly’s chocolate cake. A lace-topped
purse, white tights, and an Easter basket completed the ensemble. Now, the final test was to stay awake during sunrise
service, breakfast, morning church, and finally the absolutely terrible Easter play. This goes without saying, but I had
to keep the dress clean, not lose the purse, wait to open the basket, and not ruin the tights...oh, and remember my
lines in the Easter play. Sigh...it was rare that I moved to the next round without a mishap. Looking back, I count it all
joy. — Siera London, Author of Chasing Ava.
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