Snow in Summertime

Journal of Family Practice, July, 2000 by Anthony Valdini

Vespers started with a procession. Incense, acolytes, croziers, and elaborate vestments set a solemn mood as the cardinal led us in prayer in Italian and Latin. Familiar hymns put the faithful at peace. Then, gently and slowly, it began to snow. Petal after white petal fell from scaffolding near the high golden ceiling. The congregation responded like a crowd at a sacred fireworks show. Cameras flashed. People smiled, then laughed and cried. The flower petals fell for a long time, reflecting light from the stained glass as they floated to the floor.

The procession left the altar, and we left the church. On the way out into the ancient city's sunset, my grown son caught my eye. "Well, I finally got to see snow in the summertime," he said. I answered softly, "Yes, and we didn't always look like this." The time and place dissolved. We looked up from the album on our laps into the radiant faces of Rose and Frank.

* All correspondence should be addressed to Anthony Valdini, MD, Lawrence Family Practice Residency, 34 Haverhill Street, Lawrence, MA 01841. E-mail: avaldini@glfhc.org.

ANTHONY VALDINI, MD, MS Lawrence, Massachusetts