An Excerpt from “The Kite That Couldn’t Fly: and Other May Avenue Stories” by Michael J. Menard
“We Have a Lightbulb!”
“Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into your reality.” – Jen Sincero.
Life in 1956
It was 1956. The latest technology was a transistor radio with an earphone. Elvis had just released “Blue Suede Shoes.” Eisenhower was president. Life was simple but challenging. Poverty was a constant, but dignity remained intact.
Growing up, there was a hierarchy of fears: no food, electricity, heat, water, and lowest on the ladder, no phone. Doing without was a way of life. Inconvenience and discomfort were frequent, but we always managed. The neighborhood kids could be cruel, so we did our best to hide our poverty.
Arts and Crafts at Alpine Park
Alpine Park had a clubhouse where the park district sponsored arts and crafts five days a week in the summer. It was free, so all the Menard kids took full advantage. We made projects from popsicle sticks and painted salad dressing jars. The woman at the clubhouse helped me stain projects with redwood stain, a scent that remains vivid. Painting Kraft Wish-Bone Italian Dressing bottles as flower vases was another favorite craft. I gave my painted bottle to my mom, who cherished it for years.
The Summer Talent Show
The park’s summer program culminated in a talent show at the Kankakee Civic Auditorium. In second grade, I was paired with Donna Brown for a tap dance and song performance. Donna was my first true love. After practice, Mrs. Brown invited me for dinner, but our phone was disconnected due to unpaid bills. To avoid embarrassment, I pretended to call home from Mrs. Brown’s house, ensuring I could stay for dinner. The Browns never suspected anything, and I enjoyed a memorable evening.
The Importance of Lightbulbs
At home, lighting was provided by single pale light bulbs hanging from the ceiling by a corded wire. Replacement lightbulbs were obtained from the electric company when the bill was paid, but we often had only one working light bulb at a time due to late payments. Mom juggled the bills skillfully but was frequently behind on the electric bill. Despite the challenges, we always had at least one lightbulb, a testament to Mom’s resourcefulness.
Evening Routine and Gratitude
Evenings were spent in the kitchen under our one lightbulb. The house was heated by coal when we had it, and by the open oven when we didn’t. Bedtime was signaled by Mom baking a sheet cake for the next day’s school lunches. Mom made the cake from scratch, often with her hands covered in tape to protect against eczema.
After baking the cake, Mom made frosting and let us choose the flavor. This evening’s choice was cherry. Mom added red food coloring to the white icing, creating the illusion of cherry flavor. The ritual of cake-making brought joy and hope, ensuring dessert for the next day.
The Lightbulb Ritual
With the cake frosted and placed on the refrigerator, Mom turned off the oven and shut the door. In the dark, we gathered around the lightbulb. Mom unscrewed the hot lightbulb, and, holding onto her apron, we followed her upstairs. She spoke of gratitude for our lightbulb, reinforcing the lesson of thankfulness. Once upstairs, she screwed the lightbulb into the attic socket, and we had light again.
Lessons in Gratitude
Mom’s attitude could have been one of pity, anger, or resentment, but she chose gratitude. She taught us to be thankful for everything, a lesson that has stayed with us. My siblings and I continue to experience joy and thankfulness for all we have, a testament to Mom’s teachings.
This excerpt from “The Kite That Couldn’t Fly: and Other May Avenue Stories” by Michael J. Menard highlights the power of gratitude and the lessons learned from a simple lightbulb. It serves as a reminder of the importance of appreciating what we have and finding joy in the little things.
Will you join me in embracing gratitude? By shifting our perspective from lack to abundance, we can focus on the good in our lives and invite more goodness into our reality. Let’s cultivate gratitude and transform our lives.
To explore more stories like this and learn about the transformative power of gratitude, purchase the book The Kite That Couldn’t Fly: and Other May Avenue Stories.
