Kindergarten

I have started many blog posts recently but posted none of them. Tonight I thought I'd write a little bit about kindergarten...

I was five years old when I started kindergarten, and six when I finished. I went to a babysitter's everyday after my half-day (morning, thankyouverymuch) at school. My teacher was Mrs. Guyger, and I loved her. There were a total of 13 kids in my class, 11 girls and 2 boys. One of those boys I'm now Facebook friends with, but as for everyone else I have no idea where any of them are currently.

When I was in kindergarten I had an art smock that had the Berenstain Bears on it. (They were my favorite, you know.) Recess was always fun, but I was irritated I wasn't in the fastest reading group. I was in the reading group that was right on target, even though I read slightly better than most others in the same group. Recess was fun, but snack time was even better. I didn't really like nap time though, it was always difficult to BE STILL and SILENT. (Tough to imagine, I know.)

When I was in kindergarten my mom came and visited my class one day. While perhaps not out of the norm for some, it was a special day for me. Mom never packed my lunch, and rarely did she get to be involved in my day because she herself was a teacher at another school and gone before I was even awake most days. She didn't get to stay the entire time, but I was so glad she came. 

When I was in kindergarten the Challenger blew up almost immediately after takeoff. The teachers and school officials rushed my little class into the pre-k class next door so we could watch history on tv. I always think about that, sitting on the floor in the room that wasn't ours watching something we wouldn't realize the impact of for years. While some would say that was inappropriate, I think it was very appropriate. They talked to us, but we didn't really comprehend what had happened. I'm pretty sure they also sent a note home to our parents about talking to us about what we'd seen. 

I went to a small, private, religious school five minutes from our house. The school only had pre-k and kindergarten. I never felt fear or dread going to school. I cannot imagine what those sweet babies saw and heard today, and how their lives are forever shaped by the events of today. There is so much hurt, pain and anger in the world today and it's often unnecessarily taken out on the innocent. Today is an example of that. While there will be much speculation about what transpired, we will never truly know what was going on in the mind of the man who committed such heinous acts of violence. Before pointing fingers and discussing politics, I suggest we remember that it isn't about you or me and our beliefs...it is about those innocent lives that were slain today, and about the survivors both young and old whose lives will never be the same. it is about the families who in just over a week will have a Christmas with one less person opening Christmas presents and singing Christmas carols (or, Hanukkah or whatever their faith tradition celebrates). 

I think, even if your kindergarten experience wasn't exactly like mine, it was a heck of a lot better than that of those in Newton, CT. My prayers are with all involved with today's happenings.