First Day Of School Contest - Closed

NEW CLOTHES NEW CLOTHES NEW CLOTHES NEW CLOTHES

GOOD LUCK ALL

mojojds

What I like is that the kids are going back to school peace and quiet for a few hours now I'll try that copy and paste thing .

Ok that didn't work

Consider me in this contest. My entry follows almost immediately.

Thank you. (A lesson learned from JOSIE)

royalblush

I cannot believe this subject, packed so full of emotion for me, came up as a contest. I have been sitting here trying to get started answering and now I am finally typing, after unashamedly bawling out loud like a baby for at least an hour.

As most of you know, I had to take early retirement from teaching after 18 years of it, when I was seriously injured in a school accident.

It took me 3 years of denying everything every hospital told me before I finally accepted the fact I wouldnever enter a classroom on the first day of school again. A part of me died that day, 15 years ago, and I amstill mourning to this day.

On my first day of school as a child just starting in elementary scool, I knew before that first day was over that the thing I wanted most in life was to be a teacher. It took me 30 years, because I always had to work from age 10 -- yes, 10 -- on to be able to continue in school. In college, I actually worked a full time job, night shift, and a part time job in additionto going to school. I am proud to say that I graduated from my first college (I have attended 12) I graduated magna cum laude and got to lead the line of graduating seniors with the wide gold ribbon around my neck and hanging down my robe. I cried every step of the way.

And 3 months later, I started my first day of school as a teacher.

The emotions were the very same as they were that day when at age 6 I had entered a classroom.

The smell of chalk dust, of nightly waxed wood floors, of crayons and inks and even pens and pencils and paper. The always loose pencil sharpener on the wall. The dull gray dented waste can full of pencil shavings, and the dull green institutional paint on the walls. It was all still there.

For 18 years, on the first day of school, as the students filed into my classroom as high school students, I made eye contact with eachand every one of them and wondered how many of the same feelings I had had at their age he or she was feeling.

I had to keep my emotions under control, but I loved each and every one of them at first sight -- and oh how individually different each one was. For 18 years I tried to nurture that individuality in each one, challenging them to be themelves and to be true to themselves no matter what.

It was always like I could read the thoughts and feelings of each one of them -- and I taught them to be able to do the same with me and with each other.

It was not unusual for the principal to enter OUR classroom and find us all clinging together in the middle of the room crying. OR to find us laid out all over the room laughing uncontrollably.

through learning to understand and respect each other, they learned to understand and respect themselves.

When people ask me what I taught, I often answer, "Life."

All because of how I felt on that first day of school in the first grade.

Do I miss it? What do you think?

Thank you for reading my story.

Your sitemate and FRIEND,
royalblush

Royal,
You nver cease to amaze me. I am so sorry that you had to take early reitirement. as the world needs more teachers like you. Your dedication to the education of our young people is hard to find and is greatly missed. I hope my grandson, who is entering first grade this year, is lucky enough to have at least one teacher like you. He has told his father if he didn't like school he wasn't going to go. LOL I reminded his father that when he came home for lunch the first day he told his father he only had a half day. He was told to change his clothes. What do fathers know!! LOL It wasn't until his sister told dad that they had to go back after lunch that dad found out. Off he went back to school. LOL

God Bless you Chocolate

win4maw/ Vanilla

Hello Crushers,

Wow, was I overwhelmed with emotions from the responses and the return of my own memories of the first day of school. Thank you all for entering and bringing a lot of smiles and some tears to my eyes. I wish I had more than 1 random prize to give away.

The winner of this contest is:

rsablebomb

Congrats & WTG Sable!!

Your account will be credited within 10 days.

Happy gaming always,

LadyCrush

WTG Sable, enjoy your win !

Hi,

WTG sable....

Continued Winnings,

sisters

Sable ~ Congratulations. I am happy for you, honey.

Josie, Dime1313, Sisters, Suziq ~ I am so sorry you hated school. I apologize for those who should have helped you learn to love it like Yosbree did.

Mystkdms ~ I grew up poor also, but went to school always squeaky clean and wearing fresh starched and ironed second-hand clothes or those Mom sewed fom the sacks Daddy bought food for the animals in. I didn't know we were poor until I started school because everyone always came to Dad for help.

Everyone who centered on their clothing ~ After I became a teacher, I am of the opinion all kids should wear identical uniforms in school because the hurt and embarrassment of those who could not keep up with the Joneses literally ended any chance for going on in school.They are made to feel that ashamed -- and I ache for them.

All other entrants ~ I was fascinated reading each one of your all's responses. Provides great insight.

Lady Crush ~ I love you and I hate you for having this contest. But mostly, like everyone else, I love you.

As always I care so much for all my sitemates!
royalblush

Woo Hooo thank you for the win!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Sable! Enjoy your win.

~Nono

WTG Rsable

Make it grow

win4maw

WTG sable, josie46

Congrats Rsable ~ WIN BIG!!!

LuckyItalian