Happy Friday and Happy Labor Day Weekend! This means that summer is unofficially over. These days, most schools are already a week or two into the new school year and you have probably seen numerous cute pictures of kids headed off for the first day of a new school year. However, when I was growing up Labor Day Weekend also meant that it was time for school to start. If I recall correctly, we always stated on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day. The schools were not air conditioned and while it could be pretty warm the first week or so, it seems like it was usually bearable.
This Labor Day weekend has me reminiscing even more than usual about the start of school. For it was this time sixty years ago, I was preparing to set off my very first day of school. I am the youngest of three children and I remember how disappointed I was when my brother and sister set off for school and left me behind. I was excited that my time had finally arrived even though I had to walk to school that first day of kindergarten and everyday thereafter through eighth grade – and the school was located all the way ACROSS the street from my house. Let me tell you, I had it rough!
Above is a picture of the afternoon kindergarten class at Shiloh Elementary School for the 1964-1965 school year. There are 29 little faces in the picture along with Mrs. Wilson, the kindergarten teacher and Mr. Jones, the Principal. I am in the second row, next to the end on the right as you look at the picture. My Mom sent me off on picture day with a jacket and a tie. I suppose I was destined to turn out as a nerd or an accountant (I am an accountant).
As I look at the picture, I would like to say that I can name everyone; however, I am fairly confident that I can name about half of the pupils. There are about a half dozen that I am friends with on Facebook and so I have an idea of where life took them and what they are doing these days. Sadly, I know of at least one that has passed on. That first day of school in 1964 was when I met these folks for the first time. The young man in the first row, next to the end on the right as you look at the picture, just to the left of me became a fast friend, a confidant through the tumultuous teenage years, a roommate when we both transferred to Miami University (about this time 45 years ago), served as my best man over 40 years ago and remains a trusted friend to this day. The morning kindergarten class included a young man who is the President of the company that I work for.
Over the years of elementary school, high school and college many other people came into my life and impacted me in many ways and many of those have remained in my life as friends through the years and through the decades. Yet, the 29 folks in this picture have a special place in my life for they were there at the beginning of my adventure. My learning had already begun before that first day of school and it continued long after I turned my last tassel and continues to this day.
It is hard for me to believe it has been 60 years since my first day if school, time does indeed fly. Shiloh Elementary School closed in the 80’s and was torn down a number of years ago. The building is gone but what I learned there and the friendships I made there live on.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” ~ Plato
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