June 7, 2006
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I chaperoned the third grade trip to the farmhouse down the street: goats, sheep, and an alpaca. Blossom the goat took a bite out of my straw handbag. I guess it IS yummy. “Kaleb, please stay out of the road,” “Kaleb don’t roll in the woodchips,” “KALEB, NO FLINGING POO!”
My neighbor Jennifer was there also, my assistant Girl Scout leader. We mutually absolved each other of all failed Brownie responibilites. A huge sigh of relief on both our parts.
I sat against the brick wall and hung out with the kids while they ate lunch. It was interesting watching the already stratified social scene of the third grade. Poor sweet Darrell. Emma’s friends with his cousin and I used to babysit him when he was a newborn, the son of two co-workers. His infancy was plaqued with terrible ear infections. When I came back to town a few years ago I struck up a convo with his dad while we were waiting to pick up… I asked about Shannon and he looked really sad and said that she had died a few years previous. Shock. Poor Sweet Darrell. All alone at lunch, but he seemed okay about it, like it was situation normal. Oy. When I helped out making applesauce in the classroom I made a point of telling him I helped host his baby shower and told him some of the lovely things I remembered about his mother. He’s a good little kid. Today I nearly went over to sit with him but decided against socially dooming him as the kid eating with somebody else’s mom. I smiled at him instead and he beamed back. I hope he’ll be okay.
Comments (9)
that’s very sad
I think that’s one of the saddest things, little kids without mommies or daddies. ugh.
I sometimes think that being socially awkward at that age makes some kids become extremely cool, later in life. We learn best when young right?
Not that he’s actually socially awkward, but you know what I mean.
argh woman, I miss you and dream of you and your three hundred pound cheese. and pirates.
Man, you are definitely a cool chick. Way to cheer up those in need of cheer.
I;m glad you talked to him. He will probably remember it for a long time. Awesome.
thanks guys, the applesauce day was another day. the more I think about it the more I feel I was wrong not to go sit with him today. I was thinking how would I feel if I was the dead mother and no one was sitting with my baby. I wish I could go back to lunch today. I didn’t do the right thing.
awww, sweet little guy, how sad.
You did do the right thing, perhaps the kid he normally sits with wasn’t there.And don’t worry, his mom was sitting with him. Just like you would be if you were the dead mom…
My mom and I used to hang together lots, I know from whence I speak.
-M
I think you kick ass in so many ways I stopped counting.