The Lone Cypress
A Portrait of Aunt Phyllis
by
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On my flight to San Jose, Costa Rica I anticipate the adventure that Phyllis and I will have together. It is 1991. We will be taking a tour of Costa Rica. The trip was my idea, a seventieth birthday present to her. The location was hers. And we are both very excited. I am flying from Boston and meeting Phyllis in San Jose. She is coming from Palm Springs. There is a perpetual sunset at 33,000 feet, with cotton clouds catching the last indigo light of the day and proudly reflecting it for us all to see—the sky is so delighted to be an ocean above the ocean. Like continuous layers of life. Beneath us we approach Cuba, which is dark and somber as it meets the pink sea, glad to be isolated and used to being alone, fearful of being explored. There appear to be many children and babies—various islands—around it. Perhaps outcasts, perhaps protectors. When I arrive in San Jose, Phyllis has three comments for me. “Do you think we will still be speaking to each other by the end of the trip? You look like you have a bunny suit on. Can I come into the bathroom while you shower so I can soak my teeth in Efferdent?” This may not be the actual adventure I had thought it was going to be. On the other hand, any time spent with Phyllis is an adventure, of a sort…
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About the Book
Many people probably didn’t think that Phyllis was anything special. Single lady that lived alone all of her life. No kids. No husband. No grand career. But Phyllis had an active inner life along with an adventuresome spirit that led her into all sorts of situations. She worked for the American Embassy in Spain and Greece just after World War II, biked and skied around Europe with her dog Chispa, worked with famous midcentury Modernist architect E. Stuart Williams, had movie legend Pepe Serna for a landlord, and once had to have José Greco do her plumbing! And on a hair-thin budget she managed to survive and weather the storms that one has in life, all while supporting those less fortunate. She indeed was special to those around her. This book of poetry and escapades is a revelation about the uniqueness of us all, if we just look hard enough to find it. ... and Phyllis thought to herself, ... “Here I am, drinking whiskey and dancing with a man who is an almost total stranger in a night club in Basel, Switzerland, at three in the morning. Not bad for a middle-aged school teacher from California!”
About the Author
J Collins Kerr has a passion for finding the uniqueness in every individual. She wrote a book to celebrate her father’s 100th birthday (For Tunes a Plenty), produced a movie for her mother’s 80th (Forever Dorothy), and more. She shares with us now a treasure in the life of her Aunt Phyllis. J Collins Kerr received a B.A. in English Education from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon and an M.B.A. from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in Business Week, Hardcopy and various industry publications for the high-tech world. She currently is an investment professional in the financial industry, living with her husband, daughter and dogs in New Hampshire. Go to http://jcollinskerr.com/ for more information.