Walking away is not an option... dialogue must prevail.

"A good listener tries to understand what the other person is saying. In the end he may disagree sharply, but because he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is he is disagreeing with."
- Kenneth A. Wells

"I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace."
- Helen Keller

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

like the first day of school


I remember going to the store to get school supplies with my mother. Bringing home the new notebooks with blank pages, a brand new eraser, glue, new pencils...


Then there was the trip to get school clothes. We would spend a couple of weeks in Hampton Beach, NH during every summer vacation from the time I was a baby. My parents were brave. They packed up the car when I was about 10 months old for the first one of those vacations - have you travelled with a child that small? It's a wonder they had room for their own clothes! I'll share more memories of summers at the beach in future posts...


At some point during our vacation in Hampton Beach we would head to the nearest mall and I'd try on what felt like every piece of clothing in my size (and sometimes one size up) - editors note: this was before I developed a passion for shopping...

The high point for me? We'd stop at this "cigar store" that sold, among other things: comic books... and I'd get a Wonder Woman comic book. She was my hero and I too wanted to be an Amazon, dammit! A woman who'd wear boots and lasso you if you were being bad... and, wait... nevermind, I've kinda done that once! *giggle*



This new blog kind of feels like the first days of school.

Old friends are still there... your closest friend is at the bus stop with you. And some of your old friends you see on the schoolbus on that first trip back.

And you wonder:

Did anyone move over the summer?

Will there be any new kids?


But the one question I always looked forward to finding out the answer to was:


What will I learn this time around?

Yeah... this is just like the first days of school.


"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning."
-- Louis L'Amour

19 comments:

buffalodick said...

I didn't mind school, but I never looked forward to going back...

Leighann said...

I loved school when I was young. I came to loath it during my high school years.

It's nice to see the anticipation and excitement in my kids eyes about it now.

Gail said...

I remember that feeling. The air of excitement on the bus as it approached the school. The feeling of trepidation as you step into the first class of the day...

Seeing old friends, some will say "HI"; others, act as if you have never been friends.

For me, I look forward to learning more from you...you have always taught me patience, humility and humor. You are a very smart, beautiful woman....let's turn the page and start Chapter 1 together, shall we?

Unknown said...

I love this comparison, Anndi... and I love your new home :-)

It´s always a pleasure to visit you!

I´d even share my lunch bag with you... and this happens rarely - you know... the pregnancy hormones *LOL*

Sanni

Anndi said...

Buff: I was a geek and a bit of a nerd... I loved school. I had bittersweet and mixed feelings about returning.

Leighann: Babe, you're still young! ;p
I love sitting with my Chicklet and going through her new things before the first day... she's just like me (a bit of a geek).

Anndi said...

Gail: I think we can all relate to those experiences.

I learn from you too sweetie.. about courage and growing. Wanna play hopscotch together at recess?

Sanni: Coming from you, it's a great compliment. I'm glad you feel comfortable here.
I'll bring extra snacks for you too.

HUGS

Liz Hill said...

You mean you aren't Wonder Woman????
*giggle*

I SOOOO know how you feel. I was/am a geek and loved school but there was always that extra anticipation for the 'new'and how that would build upon the old.



Love the uniform --boy does that bring back memories

Anndi said...

Turnbaby: SHHHHHH I showed you that outfit in confidence ;-p

No wonder we get along so well!

Believe it or not, it wasn't a uniform.. but Mom loved dressing me in plaid. I just think she couldn't make her mind up about a colour! And don't get me started on the poofy sleeves pirate shirt! Seinfeld had NOTHING on me!

SMOOCH

Charles Gramlich said...

I always loved getting new notebooks. Even in college I enjoyed it and I bought so many notebooks that I still haven't thrown away because they have many empty pages in them. Now I love opening a new computer file and thinkiing, maybe I'll write something really cool here.

Anndi said...

Charles: I don't even want to throw out the filled ones (well, except for math).

I think it's the process, it's great when the end result is something you love... but just sitting and putting things down is just as rewarding. Growth... evolution.

Oh... and for something completely off topic (cause I can...): I had the oddest dream last night and for some reason I now think of you whenever I have strange dreams.

Meribah said...

The first day of school and the last day of school are the best! :D

Akelamalu said...

I loved school until I got to around 14 years old then I hated it!

Anndi said...

Meri: Oh come now, there are some good days in between (I really liked the substitute teacher days LOL)

akelamalu: It's not quite as much fun when we get older, I do grant you that. Unless the really cute guy you have a crush on actually knows you exist and hints that he kinda likes you too... *giggles*

Jeff B said...

Picturing you in tights with a lasso is going to keep a smile on my face for a while. (wink)

Barbara said...

Hi Anndi,
Wow; you were a cutie ! And with your little lunchbox and dressed up to go :)
Yes, you are starting something fresh and new.New beginnings are as exciting as they are scary.

So, move over a place and let me squeeze in next to you on the bus ;)
You are bringing me back in time;
I caught the school bus during 6 years !

Bises,
xo

Anndi said...

Jeff: I put that little bit in there just for you dear! *giggles*

Barbara: Merci! But man did I hate the shoes...

I'm looking forward to the changes, and happy with the ones I've made so far.

The school bus ride will be even better with you on board.

Bises!

Desert Songbird said...

Learning experiences can be scary, but sometimes they're fun. This should be fun and scary for you, but we're along for the ride!

Anndi said...

Songbird: It's always better when you can share with friends and kindred spirits.

Unknown said...

I lurved the first day of school - getting my new supplies and a new outfit, getting my new books and reading through them, the first sharpened pencil writing on the first clean page, the men in white suits coming to take me away...