Memories provoked by Over the Rainbow

I was just listening to a version of Over the Rainbow.  One of the greatest and most well known tunes of what is called the Great American Songbook and certainly iconic.  There are not many times I can hear this tune without my mother, Vesta Brownell coming to mind.  The movie that this tune first debuted was of course, The Wizard of Oz.  She grew up with that movie as did so many of her generation and the sense of sadness, danger and wistfulness engendered by the movie I think permeated her life.  When you are a child of the depression it is an experience that never leaves you but I think has an especially stronger impact than other childhood experiences from other generations. She was born in 1934, the movie came out in 1939 so she was only five years old.

One of my strongest memories is the excitement of seeing The Wizard of Oz with my mom every Fall when it appeared on television (it first showed on TV in 1959).  At times I think she enjoyed it more than we did.  What amazed me was her sense of childish delight that she took in so many different things in the world.  More importantly she was unafraid to show this sense of wonder and delight - not that she was without her faults that could drive a son crazy.  I miss being driven crazy by her - at least little bit!  Wwho among us would not give something to have one last long conversation with our mother and father? 

David McCullough

October 11, 2016