There Was a Boy

A nine-year-old left Wrangel, Alaska and cried as the Taku, one of three State Ferrys eased away from the creosoted dock pilings, his little town was slowly reduced to a dot across the shoreline. So many friends and good times were left behind in the wake of that ship...It all started when the family came over from Pelican Island after two wonderfully unique years there. At 6 years old , he and his older brother landed in a silly looking belly landing aircraft with an equally silly name - Grumman Goose. The thing held no more than twelve passengers, had two glassed in bulbous protrusions on each side of the aft portion, and was a holy terror during take-off and landing. As it taxied off into the bay positioning for take-off the decibel level was tolerable but not for long. The twin engines roared to life plowing out a plume of white that severed the glassy mirror of the blue-green bay and was buffeted by every fishing boat wake, small and large. Take off  was exciting stuff for a lad. He held his ears with that we’re-all-going-to-die look on his face. After the nimble craft became aloft, the scenery was magnificent. Southeast Alaska is most aptly described as a northern rain forest, a verdant fantasyland steeped in Indian lore and abundant wildlife.

The boy’s father was called by God to this land, had spent two wonderful years in Pelican and now he was drawn to build a church in Wrangel. First, the congregation met in a small civic center where the town meetings were held. After each meeting the older brother and he climbed up on the chairs while their father feverishly mopped the dark tiled floor.  The pretense was that the wet floor was the ocean and the rule was not to step on it or the boys would sink beneath the floor.

The new church was built on none other than Church Street. There’s nothing pretentious about Alaskan street names. About a block from there was an old white house that was the family’s first house upon arriving. It had an “ice box” that was simply an alcove built into the wall with a door at both sides. Most of the year, when the weather was cool enough, items could be refrigerated or kept frozen there, depending upon the time of year. In the back yard was a well worn clothesline. His mother hung steaming wet cloth in the rare morning sun as the boy sat in the tall wild grass (there are few actual lawns in Alaska) His mother explained to him about the magic of the buttercup. Put it under your chin, and if you see your chin turn yellow, you’re in love. Every now and then, his dad would take a scythe and cut down the tall grass. Mother often needed something from the grocery store so she’d send him to get it, give him money and an extra few pennies for bubble gum or candy. Following the winding trail that wound around between the backs of the houses and down to the store, he contemplated the light blue pepsin flavored gum balls - his favorite - along with the red cherry ones…

One day that boy will return to his Alaskan play place but this time he’ll be there with a lady friend. One who he can pick buttercups with…and they'll start, one by one, placing them beneath chins for the remainder of their life.