OVER MY SHOULDER

My Granddaughter informed me last night that she had only nine (9) more days of school before her summer vacation. I find it interesting that most children are anxious for school to be out-----but are just as anxious in the fall for school to start. Even though it has been many years, I can recall the great expectations that we had in the Spring for the end of school and for the starting of Summer vacation.

We particularly looked forward to the last day of school celebration and festivities. I am sure that most people of my generation and before, have some where in an album or a box, a picture of the school children beside the “school house” which was taken on the last day of school. Then there is probably one of all of the parents friends and neighbors that were present.

Nearly all of the pictures are alike---a white and often faded school building with tall windows in the background---all of the boys or men in overall, and the girls in gingham dresses--perhaps feed sack dresses---the taller ones in the background, some standing in the middle rows, and the smaller first and second graders either standing or setting on the ground in the front row. All looked pleased and happy, but there was little emotion shown otherwise.

It was with great anticipation that we prepared during the last few days of school, those poems, plays and reading that we would proudly stand on the “platform” in the front of the classroom and recite for those present. After the prepared program was given, everyone went to the play ground and played games. It was great fun because Dad, and some of the other adults would enter into the games with us. (looking back on it--one of the great things was that Dad, Mom, Board Members, and all of the neighbors found time to come to the “last day of school”--to celebrate with the youngsters and to emphasize the importance of school)

Usually it was a game of softball, while the smaller children played on the swings, the slide, and chased each other around the playground. By the time that every one was hot and tired of the games, Mom and the other community ladies would have a large carry-in dinner displayed upon the tables that had been set up in the “shade” of the large trees on the play ground, or in the shade of the building.

You could bet that there would be fried chicken, potato salad, garden vegetables, home made bread, real butter, home made pies, and many many other great things that one enjoys when there is a carry in lunch.. Things would suddenly quiet down as we all got to the business of eating---one did not want the Mothers to think that we did not enjoy the meal that they had labored over.

After the meal, we would play a few more games while the ladies cleaned up the tables and prepared things to return home. Then there would be the pictures, the Summer good byes, the issuing of the various awards that had been won by the youngsters over the year, speeches of appreciation, the thanking of the teacher--who often was leaving for another job--perhaps in a neighboring school (Teachers often did not stay in one school for more than 2 or 3 years--they either tired of the same children for several years, got married, or were asked to leave, as the parents or students had tired of them) I can honestly say that even though I had a number of different teachers during my elementary school years, they were all excellent and caring teachers.

Summer good byes were sad, because even though some of the children only lived 4 or 5 miles apart, they might not see one another during the entire summer. Every one had farm work, garden work, chores and other jobs that kept them busy. We did not have Little League ball, skating parties, and if there were swimming parties they were at the ‘swimming hole” in the creek down at Buddy Sam’s, or out on Little Sugar Creek north of town.

In the early afternoon, when all of the speeches had been delivered, the tables had been cleaned up, we would either get on our ponies, or in the car with Mom and Dad, or start walking home for the summer. All with an exuberant anticipation of new and unknown adventures that were to come during the summer.

Yes Lisa, I am sure that you are looking forward to the last day of school, and that you will enjoy the festivities of the ‘last day” --- or of the last of school activity trip, ----but I am willing to bet that it will be no more fun than we had on our last day of school, and that it will not carry as many fond memories as we have of our last day of school. ldc