A SLICE OF AMERICANA

Have you ever noticed how perfect are each of Norman Rockwell's paintings? They are snapshots of life--just a moment in time--which are both simple and yet profound.

The young girl who is sitting outside the princpal's office has been in a fight at recess--probably with a boy--and is, of course, in trouble. But she is so pleased with herself--rumpled clothes and all, dirty face and all, for naturally she won. The big grin on her face tells it all. Ah, victory at any price. Don't we all love to win?

The teenage girl who is sitting in front of an oval mirror in her petticoat looking dispargingly at herself. She has a magazine with a movie star on the front cover. As she compares herself to the movie star, she wonders, "Will I ever have the beauty of a movie star? It all seems so hopeless." Haven't we all wondered if we will ever have the looks of a "movie star?"

A young handsome scout carries the shivering-cold child in a blanket across the river. He has saved this innocent child from terrible peril. His back is straight. His uniform is perfectly pressed. His face has the look of determination. The sight leads one to believe that he is a hero in his own right. It sends chills up your spine. Why, it's the stuff that heroes are made of. Don't we all have dreams of doing something noble?

Noman had a way of capturing an honest moment--a snaphot of life--that we can all relate to. No wonder he is known as the "artist of America." Actually, his artwork is so life like that his pictures look like old photographs.

Our old Kodak camera took wonderful pictures--in black and white, of course, and most always perfect. It was just a simple black box with a lens, shutter, and a roll of film. Nothing much to it. Flip open the back, pull on the roll of film and stretch it over the black frame, then twist, twist, twist, and snap into place. Steady now. Everyone smile. Click, and there you have it. A perfect picture of a perfect moment.

One photograph taken by the old Kodak camera, which stands out in my mind and looks very much like one of Rockwell's famous paintings, is of my family as we had gathered around the dining table for a feast of feast. Everything about it is wonderful and pleasing to the eye. A beautiful meal is presented with the turkey as the centerpiece. A humble prayer is offered. Feelings of gratitude fill the dining room as the family joins together. The old Kodak could not have taken a more beautiful picture and Rockwell could not have painted a more perfect picture--a true slice of Americana. Yet, it is just a snapshot of life--a moment in time--both simple and profound.