First Grade

On By ptero9In Family

Because we live on opposite coasts, the time I spend with my family is precious.

Perhaps as we get older and realize how quickly time is moving and how mistakes we’ve made stole some of that time away, it’s even more desirable to be around those who share our past, helping to bring into focus the people, places and events that tell the story of our lives.

When I was young, there was no part I could play that seemed to fit, so I tried to stay on the sidelines, but that didn’t fit either. When I first read WIlliam Stafford’s poem, First Grade, I laughed knowing that I had been Amy for a long time, and yet, my family never gave up on me. I owe them a lot for that.

They never remind me now of how difficult I could be and even now would probably say I was just being “Deb.” But the changes which slowly came, allowing me to embrace life, bring with it an increased desire for closeness and a feeling of gratitude for their love and their presence. I look forward to spending the next week or so with my sister and my niece and am very thankful that my husband enjoys these family visits too.

Here’s to my family and the play, the one that I now gratefully take part in.

I’ll be offline for the next week or so…

FIRST GRADE

William Stafford

In the play Amy didn’t want to be
anybody; so she managed the curtain.
Sharon wanted to be Amy. But Sam
wouldn’t let anybody be anybody else
he said it was wrong. “All right,” Steve said,
“I’ll be me but I don’t like it.”
So Amy was Amy, and we didn’t have the play.
And Sharon cried.

9 thoughts on “First Grade”

      1. No worries friend, post when you want. Do not have any writing insecurity! Your so brilliant! I think so, Linda thinks so and so do many others. I have awesome blogging friends, which you are one, and your all so awesome!

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      2. Oh gosh Sindy! That means a lot. I am touched by your words and really enjoy these wonderful gifts we all share here. It’s very inspiring and has become an important part of my daily fare. I look forward to catching up with everyone’s posts after my time with my sister (which has been fantastic, btw!)

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      4. Oh that is a blessing! We’re currently living 3,000 miles apart, but my sister recently retired so we have had a little more opportunity to visit.
        Love, right back at cha Sindy!

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  3. Rex

    “Perhaps as we get older and realize how quickly time is moving and how mistakes we’ve made stole some of that time away”

    So true Deb.

    And what a wonderfully wonderful poem by Stafford!

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    Reply

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