Wednesday, August 29, 2007

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH THE GOLDEN RULE



Remember that first day back to school when you were a kid? My Mom always took a picture. Here we are all lined up waiting for the school bus. I am the one right in the middle. Look at all those cute little skirts and white socks and strapped shoes. We were required to wear skirts all the years that I went to school, through college! I remember that when the weather was cold I was able to wear leggings or corduroy pants under my skirt. I was supposed to take them off in the cloak room before school started. Often I left them on during school, and my teacher never said anything. My Mom always did though. She was always after me to behave like a lady. I must have been a real challenge for her.

School lunches were a quarter back then, but we always packed a lunch. We couldn't afford to buy lunch every day! We couldn't afford Wonder Bread either, and that was what they advertised on TV all the time. On those rare occasions when we got to have Wonder Bread it was so soft and squishy and it seemed to melt in our mouths. That was a real treat, and we loved it!

We had a brand new school to go to when I started first grade. I suppose that was to accommodate all the Baby Boomers that were just beginning to impact our country. (Now I believe we will see a huge increase in nursing homes and assisted living facilities rising up!) Our elementary school had it all! We had a beautiful auditorium, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, music, art, the works! We had wonderful teachers and received a good education. In short, we were very blessed. We were also taught by parents who grew up during the Depression, to be grateful for what we had.

Every classroom had an American Flag displayed in it. With our hand over our heart, we said the Pledge of Allegiance each morning. No one taught us about saying things that were "politically correct", but we were taught to be polite. We were taught to respect those who were different from us in race, religion or culture. We were taught that the Golden Rule was applicable in every situation. I believe that these principles will never grow old. Obviously there were problems in the world then, just as there are now. We may not be able to change the world, but each of us has a sphere of influence. As parents and grandparents we need to take this responsibility in hand and make sure to teach our children and grandchildren that kindness matters. The beginning of a new school year is a good time to reinforce this. There is nothing political about this. It is just good sense!

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! Pass it on...

17 comments:

Gypsy Quilter said...

Oh yes indeed to the Golden Rule. Wonderbread was a staple in our house and I remember going to the corner store with a dime to buy a loaf. They were out of bread, but since a friend was with me, I decided to treat us to some penny candy, and spent 5 cents. When I returned with only a nickel, my father was very disappointed in the fact that not only had I not returned with any bread but that I had wasted 5 cents.

Yvonne said...

Well said!!!!

Libby said...

The first day of school was always so exciting - new teacher, new pencil, new outfit. I took my lunch everyday, too. A new lunch box every September - with a thermos that was always prone to breaking *s* I read in the paper this morning that the Wonder Bread company has filed bankruptcy - we will no longer be able to purchase Wonder products in so.Cal. (While I don't, it's always nice to see them on the shelf)
Thanks for reminding us to follow the Golden Rule. Wouldn't the world be a better place if every person did!

Angie said...

Gosh, girl, were we in the same school???? :D Oh no, we weren't, that's right, cuz WE did NOT have a pool in our school. :( But other than that, I could swear you were writing my elementary school days! :D There's a lot to be said for the way we were 'raised', and I'm so glad I was 'brought' up in that manner. I heartly applaud your post, Marcie, my friend! :D

Angie said...

Oh, and I LOVE your blog banner---I want to learn how to make one!!! I'm such a computer-illit! :(

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Marcie, what a wonderful post! And I love that picture of you all! My mom made me wear pants one really, really cold day (we are talking mid 60's here, so even later than you) and I got in such trouble from the teacher for having them on. I cried all day at school and yelled at my mom when I got home!

CONNIE W said...

I remember those days too, mine were very nearly the same. I started first grade in 1953.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Thank you, Marcie! I LOVED reading this post, you are able to stir up the most comforting memories. I lived a very similar, parallel life to yours growing up. Yep, hot lunch was 25 cents a day and an extra milk was 3 cents. I do remember paying 15 cents a week to just buy milk (there was even a separate 'milk line' to wait in). After a while my Mom bought me a thermos for my milk, thus eliminating that weekly expense!

Tazzie said...

Ohhh yes Marcie, they're just 11 little words, but they could change the world. What a wonderful post.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Darlene said...

Wouldn't it be a better world if everyone followed the 'golden rule'. Sigh! Wonderful post, Marcie, thank you!

Linda C said...

There is a reason why it is called a "golden" rule---too bad everyone does not see fit to live by it and think of others before themselves.

I am a few years younger than you but it was much the same at my house too in how we were raised.

Vicky said...

Your blog brought back a lot of memories of that first day of school! When I think of elementary school, my mind conjures up the smell of paste! LOL

Great blog!

Sweet P said...

I have similar memories of my first day of school and all the lessons I learned. I had to wear a dress until I was in the 3rd grade. Thanks for sharing your memories.

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting my blog, Marcie! And thanks for the info re Blogline. I'm here, but can't see where you mean for me to click.

Sounds like a good idea.

Kairle Oaks said...

Oh....cuuuuute!

I have wonderful memories of my elementary school days, too, Marcie. We had a great school, but not with a SWIMMING POOL!

Thanks for a trip back down memory lane. Those were the days!

Marisa said...

Really enjoying your quilting blog, your work is very nice.

Kim said...

Sure brings back memories! Well, except by the time I was in high school, we could wear pants. But then I'm light years younger than you are! ROFLOL! Oh, and no pool in our elementary school either--and I think it was built back around 1920 (so, yes, it was slightly older than I am!).