A New Box of Crayons
Can't you just smell them? Open the box, take a quick look at all the shiny new unused colors, and then take a big sniff. It's great! You may think I am silly, but it’s one of those comfort things for me, even at 50. Completely irresistible. A new box of crayons. Something everyone needs for the first day of school, no matter how old they are. The only thing better is a new box of crayons AND a blank piece of white paper. The possibilities are limitless.
When my days as a SAHM were numbered, I was fortunate to find work at the neighborhood elementary school. It was close to home and I loved being around the kids. After six years as the school secretary I moved to the Curriculum and Instruction Department in the Administrative Building. The money was a little better, but it was a step away from the school and boy did I miss the kids. It was difficult at times to see that what I did really made a difference. My school invited me back each year to read at Christmas and as a guest at Honor’s Breakfast. Being the one who kept track of student data I would periodically see the names of the students as they made their way through the grades. Two years ago the last group graduated and I felt as though I took a step even farther away.
This summer I moved to a distant land called the Business Office. I always felt that people in the administrative offices should spend a little time each year in the schools. It’s important to look into the eyes of those who we are responsible for – a gentle reminder of why we are here. The farther away I get, the more important it seems to be.
The first day of school is Thursday and I can’t help feeling a little blue. Today I felt the need more than ever to stick my face in a box of crayons. So…
When my days as a SAHM were numbered, I was fortunate to find work at the neighborhood elementary school. It was close to home and I loved being around the kids. After six years as the school secretary I moved to the Curriculum and Instruction Department in the Administrative Building. The money was a little better, but it was a step away from the school and boy did I miss the kids. It was difficult at times to see that what I did really made a difference. My school invited me back each year to read at Christmas and as a guest at Honor’s Breakfast. Being the one who kept track of student data I would periodically see the names of the students as they made their way through the grades. Two years ago the last group graduated and I felt as though I took a step even farther away.
This summer I moved to a distant land called the Business Office. I always felt that people in the administrative offices should spend a little time each year in the schools. It’s important to look into the eyes of those who we are responsible for – a gentle reminder of why we are here. The farther away I get, the more important it seems to be.
The first day of school is Thursday and I can’t help feeling a little blue. Today I felt the need more than ever to stick my face in a box of crayons. So…
…here they are! Sixteen wonderful colors in a familiar green and gold box. Count them, five boxes – one for each of my co-workers in the Business Office, and one for me, of course. Although we can’t be where the kids are on the first day of school, each of us will have that exciting feeling of opening that new box of crayons and remembering…wonder if anyone else will take a sniff?
posted by gawilli at 8:25 PM
4 Comments:
After finishing the first day of back to school, I do reminisce. I do remember the crayons that we had in kindergarten. For some reason, we had expensive Prang crayons that were laid out side by side in a thin black box. The Prang crayons had new exciting names to us kindergarteners; my favorites were magenta and turquoise followed by chartreuse. If I close my eyes, I can see them as as well as smell those special crayons. Interesting that some of our fondest memories are about quite simple things.
I hope that your school year in the distant land called the Business Office is great.
The giving of box of crayons to your fellow workers is so cool. We are part of the same educational gig, either directly or indirectly. The joy students have is due the the systems hard work.
I agree with Daddy D that giving crayons to your co-workers is a great idea. Everyone needs to "feed" their inner child at times. My wonderful husband got me a 96 pack one year when I was ill and we had fun coloring while I recovered. One of the things I am looking forward to with my little one is her developing a fondness for coloring. She has already mastered the two fisted crayon artist technique. Now, if I could just be sure she discontinue her desire to snack on them after coloring.
One of my co-workers shared with me today that his mom would roll out butcher paper the length of the living room and, laying on the floor with his bucket of crayons, he would draw and color entire murals like "Custer's Last Stand". He is the one who drew the cartoon man and horse on the next post. What a wonderful thing for a mom to do. What a memory for a person to have.
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