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I was a shy, scared, little girl who always tried to be good and as little trouble as possible. my mother had just married a new man who my father had told me it was disloyal to love. not counting the three daycares (see how I did that wink), it was my third school and my fourth grade. We moved during the middle of my fourth grade. I was nine. It was OK because I had hated Springfield Elementary the most, and my mom seemed happy and we didn't have to eat cornflakes for dinner anymore.
the boy who helped me when I asked, he was in the grade above me.
It's always terrifying to start new schools. For me, it's the equivalent of going on stage. I feel it when I go home to my family or go into jobs. In fact, it's a lot like a job interview the first day. I wanted to disappear - to be normal. This school, it seemed like they had been together since kindergarten. There were only thirty people in my grade. My mother taught there. It has since become one of my favorite times in my entire life. I call it my Buffington years. It makes me cry to recall, yet everything causes me to cry these days.
Bart and I were in SmartClub. I only got into smart club shortly after I started school, and Bart wasn't in my grade, so he wasn't on my welcoming committee.
I've written about it before, but being in SmartClub was the first time I ever felt "normal" in my life. My brother and sister were troubled and much older than me. We moved a lot obviously, so I did not have experience with friends and nurturing relationships. My modus operandi was to be quiet, stay out of the way, and try to be agreeable. My first stepmother put it so well, "you adapt to everything so well!'. Lady, it was survival.
So, I get tested, and put into the club, and it's my first day there. It's a club with all the grades in the school, and there's about 15 people in it.
Wow, I haven't thought about this particular time in ages. Thank you Bart (who is now apparently super successful as should be be). It's hard to describe that comfort you feel or I felt in this time. It was ALL about the people. What I recall about Bart in particular was his absolute acceptance of me. He was definitely one of the more popular folk in the group. I always remember him with Malynn too. They were HILARIOUS together. They made me laugh so much. Bart is one of the funniest people. I think in grade school is where we begin our books that shape us and the humor that does too. So, my impressions of the generous person - reaching out, welcoming me, making a joke and being comfortable. It sounds so simple doesn't it, and it's one of the rarest things in the world.
Thank you Bart. You're a star. He was also considered one of the smartest basketball players. Buffington is where I got my love of basketball and understanding of the nuances/rules. I even know how to dribble and shoot foul shots - ha. Bart was also in my favorite class at our school. I had always envied the grade above mine. They were beautiful, smart, and funny golden. When they left the school and our 8th grade was in charge, it just didn't feel.... it was a hard act to follow.
Excelsior B.
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