Lindsay's Tree

When I was very young, I attended three different elementary schools: two public, one private. I enjoyed the private school the best, mostly because elective courses were offered. I also enjoyed the teachers, and having to take a course in religion. As strange as it may sound, I enjoyed learning about a subject other than math, history, or science. But when it was time to move on from grade school to middle school, I was very excited. For one, I no longer had to listen to Roger and Jay snicker at me, and call me names like fish on a daily basis. I also didn’t have to listen to Mrs. Wheeler whine about how I needed new underwear because I was always pulling mine out of my rear. What business was it of hers, anyway? But the biggest reason I was excited about middle school was all the unknowns I was about to discover.

For instance, I had no idea classes would be split into several periods, and that each grade level had its own lunch period assigned. This seemed appropriate, since I was already having my monthly visitor on a regular basis. Most other girls didn’t get theirs until sometime in middle school, but I was one of the few unlucky ones who got hers sometime in the fourth grade. It wasn’t until I was much older that I understood that was the reason Roger and Jay always called me fish. I didn’t feel any better about the many years of torment those two put me through, but at least I understood. where the insults were coming from.

Junior High was also fun because we got to take electives like cheerleading, band, foreign language, and choir. I always wanted to be a singer, but everyone said those in choir were nerds. I was stupid enough to believe them and didn’t join the chorus.

At my mom’s suggestion, I joined the band and began learning to play the clarinet. I was horrible my first year. I popped and squeaked, and thought I would never get the hang of it. But my mom was so proud of me that I chose to stick with it. I eventually got better – a lot better, and went on to play in the jazz, marching, and concert bands in high school. I still always aspired to be a professional songstress, but never turned the dream into reality. Truth told, I realized that my dream of being a singer was too ambitious. Why? Because I can’t carry a tune to save my soul.

Another thing I enjoyed: having many different teachers. In grade school, you are lucky if you have two teachers: one for phys. ed., another for everything else. But in Jr. High, you have as many as seven different teachers! WOW, did I feel like I had hit the jackpot! Of course, I liked some instructors more than others. Mrs. Gerber, for example, was a favorite of mine. She was an English teacher.

I often enjoyed my language arts teachers because we got to do fun things like memorize parts in plays and perform them in front of the class. For someone whom was extremely shy, I really enjoyed this part of school. Of course, I never had the guts to join the drama club – I didn’t think I was popular enough, and thought everyone would laugh at me. If I could change one thing about my adolescent years, I would try out for the drama team. I think I would have been really good and really wish I had the confidence in myself back then that I do now. But there is no sense in looking backwards since we only have the ability to move forward.

Of course there were other things I enjoyed about junior high: being part of the clubs: M.A.D.D. and S.A.D.D. (Mothers and Students Against Drunk Driving); the school dances, meeting new people, my first date, my first kiss, my first break-up, and best of all: getting to go to the roller rink every Friday and Saturday night all by myself!

I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in the world. So now that I have a daughter who is graduating elementary and moving on to junior high, I hope she can make the most of it by experiencing all the firsts I did. I want her to get involved in all school has to offer and begin making some memories of her own that she can cherish forever. I know she is excited about middle school, but I also know she is scared of all the uncertainty. As a mom, I want to hold her and tell her everything will work out perfect. But that is naïve. I know what I am supposed to do is let her grow, learn, and expand her wings at her own pace. But of course, as only mother’s can do, I will be here to catch her whenever she flies too close to the sun.

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~l