Younger Holden Had it Covered, Warmed by a Youthful Star

Why the twinkle?

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Many years ago, I spent part of a sunny spring afternoon at this bridge with a charming young woman named Etoile. (Her Spanish-speaking mother called her "Estrella".)

On my desk as I type this is a black-and-white photograph from that day. A ray of light features Etoile's broad beautiful smile; her lean shoulder mortises the first post of the bridge's wall. Is Earth's star the source of the light, or is this earthly sun doing the emitting? Her expression and her physical being make it clear: she's here only to illuminate and to warm; she has no more motive than the Sun.

Sure, we as a culture are mawkish when celebrating Americana such as a covered bridge. But, each of us has emotional highlights seared into our individual memories; and we do share some recollections and sensibilities in our collective consciousness.

A warm and breezy spring day; a perfect companion; two youthful futures unfolding; sheltered tenderly along the banks of a trilling Ohio stream.