Easter Sunday
Me, mom and Tanya – Rockrose Ave 1979. One of my fav pics. I was 12, Tanya 13. This would be our last Easter celebration like this after a 10yr run. We were getting older and were allowed some freedom. The following year, I was in full athletic mode topped off with some red converse sneakers I got from Cinderella Shoes on Park Heights Ave. Moms was really into fashion and she made sure we were always fresh.
Like Christmas, Easter had a spiritual side as well as a “worldly” side. It meant a new suit and shoes for me, and new dress and shoes for my sister, Tanya. It was sitting in a crowded barbershop in Mondawmin mall the Saturday before, waiting for my man Ernest to shape up my lil afro. My sister would be sitting in our kitchen with my mom or grandmother dabbing Ultra Sheen in her hair while that hot comb is heating up on the stove. My grandmother handled that hot comb with such precision, you would think she had went to school for it. This was “Black girl magic” back in the day.
Time for Church
"Smile", "say cheese", "fix your face" "y'all stand together", were some of the commands shouted as we took pictures. As we set off for church, we would hear the adults in the community tell us how nice we looked; "You sharp, boy", "look at miss thang".
The church would be extra packed because of all the families that normally did not come to church, suddenly making their grand appearance on Easter. It was like looking in a big mirror because everybody was dressed to the nines. Even the regular church going families who dressed nice, had just a little extra fashion for Easter. And, almost all the women sported a classy hat.
I couldn't wait to get home from church to change clothes and hang out with my friends. But, it was more photos with visiting family and Easter dinner before things could get back to normal. I look at family photos now and I am thankful these moments were frozen in time and kept for so long.