First Lilac Club
“Girl with Lilacs” by Sophie Anderson
JUDITH ROMANO
On a warm spring afternoon, Judy crawled beneath the overhanging branches of the lilac bushes in her backyard. She watched in awe as a butterfly in unfurling glory, highlighted by an intense ray of diffused sunshine, slowly dried its large, brightly colored wings. It was the perfect sanctuary and idyllic location for meeting with her girlfriends. The air under the lilac bush was warm and fragrant. Rays of sunlight penetrated the branches, creating an ephemeral mosaic of light and dark shapes that danced across their faces. The scent of lilac flowers and rays of sunlight dispersing through the green leaves above them permeated the atmosphere. The buzz of honeybees, incessant chirping of robins, and freshly mowed grass, combined with the ambient smell of lilacs in full bloom, was an ideal setting for intimacy, sharing of secrets, and lifelong memories memorialized as the “First Lilac Club”.
On a warm spring afternoon, Judy crawled beneath the overhanging branches of the lilac bushes in her backyard. She watched in awe as a butterfly in unfurling glory, highlighted by an intense ray of diffused sunshine, slowly dried its large, brightly colored wings. It was the perfect sanctuary and idyllic location for meeting with her girlfriends. The air under the lilac bush was warm and fragrant. Rays of sunlight penetrated the branches, creating an ephemeral mosaic of light and dark shapes that danced across their faces. The scent of lilac flowers and rays of sunlight dispersing through the green leaves above them permeated the atmosphere. The buzz of honeybees, incessant chirping of robins, and freshly mowed grass, combined with the ambient smell of lilacs in full bloom, was an ideal setting for intimacy, sharing of secrets, and lifelong memories memorialized as the “First Lilac Club”.
“First Lilac Club” was founded in a secret location hidden under the lilac bushes in Judith Romano’s backyard. Syringa vulgaris is a large deciduous shrub or multi stemmed small tree introduced into European gardens at the end of the sixteenth century. Common lilac flowers profusely. It is a very popular ornamental plant in gardens and parks because of its attractive, sweet-smelling flowers, which appear in early summer just before many of the roses and other summer flowers come into bloom.
THE FIRST LILAC CLUBHOUSE
The First Lilac Club was an exclusive group of friends who trusted each other with their most embarrassing moments and deepest secrets. It was an instant success because it encouraged camaraderie, sisterhood, and bonding between members. The girls became very comfortable sharing secrets with each other. Judith’s adoption became a favorite reoccurring topic that alerted Judy to the possibility of becoming an “adoption detective” when she grew up so she could solve the mystery of her own adoption. “Time of the Lilacs” was selected as the motto for the club because she was born in April and spring was her favorite time of the year. The girls loved their secret hiding place and the experience was enhanced even more whenever Judith provided warm cookies and milk. They had great fun gossiping about the boys in the neighborhood, laughing, and telling stories about their parents. Judy listened intently because their remarks were often candid and highly revealing. (p.75)
The First Lilac Club was an exclusive group of friends who trusted each other with their most embarrassing moments and deepest secrets. It was an instant success because it encouraged camaraderie, sisterhood, and bonding between members. The girls became very comfortable sharing secrets with each other. Judith’s adoption became a favorite reoccurring topic that alerted Judy to the possibility of becoming an “adoption detective” when she grew up so she could solve the mystery of her own adoption. “Time of the Lilacs” was selected as the motto for the club because she was born in April and spring was her favorite time of the year. The girls loved their secret hiding place and the experience was enhanced even more whenever Judith provided warm cookies and milk. They had great fun gossiping about the boys in the neighborhood, laughing, and telling stories about their parents. Judy listened intently because their remarks were often candid and highly revealing. (p.75)
