Today I share memories of my kindergarten class in 1957. Seating accommodations allowed for six to a little table with four tables in the room. We each had a metal lunch pail with some cartoon character on the cover. We would trade sandwiches and sweets with each other at lunch time. There were little mats that would be placed on the floor so we could have some down-time after lunch. Wooden blocks were available for us to play with at recess on a rainy day. A free-standing abacus stood in the room for reasons unknown. I didn’t know my colors or letters and had no plans of ever learning them.
Sixty-five years ago, this fall will be the anniversary of this foundational event. I think Gram (Yeah, she was my teacher.) passed me on to first grade because she couldn’t handle me for another year. Neither one of us had any idea what kind of a hand life would deal to us. Today, I have a master’s degree hanging on the wall. I wonder what she would think of that.
Life is like a river, just moving us forward and never taking us back. We look at little ones in our lives and wonder what the future has in store for them. At least we can try and provide this attitude for them:
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
When you see a child, think of yourself at that age.
Give it some thought.
Gary