Over winter recess, between hikes with friends, “Sing 2” and a visit with our cousins, I sneaked in a field trip to Cathedral of the Pines over in Rindge for my resident school-vacationers and me – a field trip that was prompted by a dream.
I woke in the night recently after a dream about the illustrations and paintings of iconic American artist Norman Rockwell, though I couldn’t place his name until morning as I was turning on my coffee maker. But what an odd dream. Why Norman Rockwell paintings?
I wondered over my first sips of coffee if this unusual dream was triggered by the recent interruption to mail service in Rindge. In “Jolly Postman,” Rockwell portrays delighted children running alongside a postman delivering Christmas parcels. I’d felt a bit like one of those eager youngsters, waiting for that little white mail van to reappear on my road.
Or perhaps it was the recent Jaffrey-Rindge school deliberative session in my subconscious, bringing to mind Rockwell’s “Freedom of Speech” painting. I’d watched several townspeople that evening exercise this freedom by rising and speaking to their perspectives. Or was the profound painting “The Problem We All Live With” lingering on my mind as our broader community grapples with how to have healing conversations? Regardless, I was stuck on this dream, pondering the Rindge-Rockwell connection.
Of course, one connection is on the Women’s Memorial Belltower at Cathedral of the Pines, though, admittedly, I hadn’t yet closely observed it. For me, trips to the cathedral are almost always with kids along. It’s usually to go zipping down one of the property’s awesome sledding hills, or to stroll the serene grounds, enjoying the experience through the eyes of a younger visitor. The opportunity to appreciate the bronze plaques on the Belltower designed by Rockwell and created by his son Peter had not yet presented itself. I had obliviously walked right under them too many times.
On field trip day, the sun had a warmth that only feels warm in late February. Brightness cast itself upon the Women’s Memorial Belltower, spotlighting Rockwell’s design of a Pioneer woman, courageous and prepared to protect her home and child. Looking up, I felt like I was in that moment with her, and it was frightening. Circling the tower to view the remaining three large plaques crafted by the Rockwells was an important exercise. It was a chance to appreciate strength and valor in women through history’s most dire times, and their enormity in America becoming what it is today.
Observing this monument allowed me again to consider the Rindge-Rockwell connection. I wonder how Rockwell might honor women of today for their outstanding courage and spirit? Perhaps women of Rindge and the Monadnock Region who have pushed on day in and day out, sacrificing for others, putting themselves aside in service of their community? I wonder ….
Tired of reading about my stories? Me too! Please share your stories. Interesting local family activities? A friendly exchange with a neighbor? Or a special milestone to share about? Reach out and connect with me at rindgecommcorr@yahoo.com.
The Monadnock Ledger-Transcript is continuing to seek community correspondents for our towns. If interested, send an email to editor Bill Fonda at bfonda@ledgertranscript.com.