Rosemary on the Rocks

A careful reading of Rosemary’s two early memories (Birthday Boomerang and The Ride) tells us, among other things, that Rosemary wants to make sure, in present time, to avoid fearful and suffocating experiences and feeling of emptiness. By recalling on a deep level that my senses get me in trouble, Rosemary reminds herself what happens when she becomes overly excited and carried away (literally!).

Let’s take a closer look at “The Ride.”

In “The Ride,” we find Rosemary visually attracted to pretty rocks in her parents’ driveway. It’s no accident that Rosemary is drawn to a pink rock “to keep for Pawpaw” – pink representing the female gender – as she prepares herself to be presented to her father’s father. And once again, Daddy is central to the action.

Recall that in Birthday Boomerang, it is Daddy who brings home a lavish cake to surprise his wife on her birthday. To be sure, when Daddy’s around, excitement happens! Rosemary can hear it, smell it, and feel it, and today, she and Daddy are about to embark on a thrilling ride to Pawpaw’s house.

Everything about the experience is stimulating…the roar of the three-wheeler engine, the smell of the exhaust, the presence of her father, the strength of his grip as he places her up on the bike and then holds her tight for the trip to Pawpaw’s house, and the anticipation of giving Pawpaw his present: “herself,” and a pretty pink rock. Even with wind stinging her eyes, Rosemary notes only the remedy. “…so I keep [my eyes] closed,” she writes. In effect, the wind may be strong, but it’s nothing compared to the thrill I feel when riding safe in Daddy’s arms.

And with eyes closed (literally and figuratively), Rosemary focuses on the excitement of the adventure…until suddenly everything changes.

The road turns treacherous. Gravel, once considered pretty, now becomes a perilous surface under a speeding three-wheeler. Rosemary hears and feels the crunch of the rocks as she is turned upside down and finds herself lost in darkness. Now that previously exhilarating engine feels much too close and suffocating – probably holding Rosemary confined against the road. Daddy has disappeared, and along with him…the illusion of safety…and Rosemary's freedom.

Wow – what a big and powerful reminder to pay better attention, to observe before jumping in, to think and figure things out before saying yes, and to set limits and maintain privacy!

And if she doesn’t? Well, then it is Rosemary on the rocks…feeling inadequate and unprotected from situations and circumstances that somehow become too close and suffocating. Perhaps it’s better to observe more closely, calm down the excitement, and approach life from a detached point of view? Or is it?