Girl on the Prairie

Before we left the area, our cousin Johnny invited us to attend the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena with him. We accepted the invitation enthusiastically. Dad and I loved parades. I was so excited that I could hardly sleep the night before. According to Johnny we needed to leave his house by six o’clock in the morning to be sure to find a parking place. Even though I hated early mornings, this was an exception. Ray hoped to see Roy Rogers and Trigger; I had my heart set on marching bands, baton twirlers, and princesses.

In spite of the fact that the December California sun was already warm at six o’clock, we would still need jackets. Dad found a parking place, and we headed to the area Johnny had pinpointed. Here we planted ourselves, and within minutes, people began flooding the sidewalks.

Johnny said with a commanding air, “Stay right in the spot from where you want to watch the parade.” What he clearly hadn’t taken into consideration were the need for restroom trips. It was still an hour before the parade was to begin, but I really needed to find a restroom. Most of the retail stores behind the route would be closed during the parade, so Mom and I searched. We inquired at every store along the sidewalk until finally we found one where we were allowed to use the restroom.

“Joyce, you really can’t have any more water or soda today,” Mom warned after that with a sigh.

By now the crowd along the sidewalk had reached ten people deep. Mom waited for me at the front door, and when I returned, my perplexed mother asked, “Where is your sister?”

“I thought she went with Ray,” I shrugged. Mom’s face turned ashen.

“We have to find your sister,” she panted, fear in her usually bright, blue eyes.

“You! Search down the block to the right. I will look to the left. Meet me back here in front of this store – Red Tommy’s – in twenty minutes,” she barked.

Mom’s anxiety and commanding tone breathed some fear into me as well. Quickly I headed down the sidewalk, frantically searching for my four-foot tall sister with blonde hair, and wearing a turquoise plaid shirt. Yet all I could see were the backs of people’s heads. Frustrated I pushed my way towards the centre of the street so I could face the crowd, looking directly at those who were standing along the parade route.

This turned out to be a brilliant move. It wasn’t long until I spotted Vonne’s familiar face. Twenty feet to my left she sat – in her telltale turquoise shirt – resting on the curb.

I was so relieved that I finally allowed myself to take a deep gulp of air. When I reached her side I mumbled softly, “ Thank you, Jesus.” Adrenaline slowly drained from me, my trembling began to subside, and I controlled my tongue, simply thankful that I had found her.

“What are you doing here?” I asked the petite parade viewer. Vonne remained seated.

She looked up at me without any concern whatsoever, “I found a great spot. I couldn’t see back there.”

I had to agree with her, but all I could muster was a faint smile and tear-filled eyes. According to Vonne, she hadn’t been lost, but the rest of us were relieved to know she was safe.

After the sudden search for the restroom and then for the missing six-year-old, we could thankfully all focus on the parade. But I pondered, thinking back of Vonne’s unflappable spirit. Maybe I needed Vonne’s calm spirit – one that always remained fearless.

The sound of bass and snare drums began filling the air. After the blow of a whistle and the sound of trumpets, a marching band with musicians dressed in blue and white uniforms headed towards us. One float after another; one more exquisite than the previous.

The Rose Parade surpassed all my expectations. I stood in awe, seeing that float after float was decorated with real roses with the most spectacular colors. When I had watched the parade on TV, I had always assumed the flowers were plastic. The fragrance of roses was magnificent as it wafted over the entire parade route. According to Johnny, it took months to build a float and hundreds of volunteers to attach thousands of delicate roses, leaves and seeds onto each float. All these flowers had to be placed on the floats within a week of the parade.

I began to comprehend just a little of the monumental process of planning, designing, and preparation. How do they keep the flowers from wilting? I wondered.

After five hours of standing in one spot, our legs aching and our stomachs empty, we were ready for a big, juicy hamburger. Vonne and I were so worn out that we took naps on the way to the restaurant.

After supper we returned to our hotel to begin organizing our luggage for our return trip. Thanks to Dad and Mom, the trip was a great success. In fact, Ray and I gave it a Five Star rating.

On the way home I recaptured the highlights.