Rudd Wyman just turned 96 but still remembers taking his daughter Sarah Jane (Wyman) Dickson and his son Steve Wyman to imaginary journeys to the moon and back.
His daughter, Sarah Jane, recently published a children’s book “My Moon” based on the stories of her dad and how he helped engage the imagination of his kids on their figurative journeys beyond the Earth’s orbit.
Wyman and her family gathered last Saturday at Sippican Health Care Center to celebrate her father’s birthday with a reading of this book. She was joined by a crowd of friends and family, along with Rudd’s wife Margie, 92.
Wyman said the purpose of the book is to “reignite the imaginations of children in this age of social media.” Reading from the book’s dedication, Wyman said the story is a true story about a father who used the power of imagination to inspire his daughter.
“His passion and love for art, writing and creative power has been passed down to me,” she said, reading from the book’s dedication. “We all have the power of imagination inside us. And if, just if, we open our hearts and set it free, anything is possible.”
Sarah Dickson then went on to read her rhyming book, which captured her fond childhood memories of Rudd sweeping her to the moon – a journey that started when she was just a toddler.
“From here on Earth, so small it seems. A wonder light with radiant beams. But here this story I will tell. About a moon I know so well,” Sarah read from the intro of her book.
She stood between a birthday cake for Rudd and in front of both of her parents, who have been married for 64 years and now reside together at Sippican Health Center.
“I think you’re great, the greatest,” said Rudd Wyman, who was in tears during the reading. “I love you.”
When Sarah asked Rudd if he still remembers those storytelling sessions, he said without hesitation, “Of course I do.”
Rudd said he does not know what inspired him to put his kids on his shoulders and to go on storytelling journeys outdoors, in closets and other dark spaces in their former Wilbraham home.
“I really don’t (know why I did it), but I’m glad I did,” he said.
Margie chimed in and noted the old home’s age – 1822 – and its dark areas, which instead of sparking fear, inspired imagination and creativity in their children.
Sarah said she remembers the angle of one window allowed moonlight to beam into the home, a great backdrop for Rudd’s storytelling.
Years later, Sarah attended Emerson College and studied communication and performing arts before moving to Yarmouth, Maine, where she resides.
Sarah said she continued to write for the rest of her life, crafting poetry and short stories, but never forgetting the man who inspired it. She said the book was written 20 years ago but was only recently published. She thanked Massachusetts illustrator and Mattapoisett native Roni King, whose illustrations captured her childhood memories.
The 42-page illustrated book is available for purchase on Amazon.
By Jeffrey D. Wagner