Who Were You?

Posted: May 27, 08 3:58pm

Who were you, when you were a kid in school?

I was the girl who got her desk moved all the time because she talked to her friends during class too much. I was the kid who got pulled out into the hall and talked to because I made smart-ass remarks. But, I was also the kid who read well, and got picked to read the best parts of the play aloud. Teachers liked me and gave me special attention--helping me submit my poetry for publication, or hiring me to babysit their kid. I was smart, but I was rebellious, and I got in trouble. I had to call a spade a spade--out loud. I liked to mess around with the boys, and chase them round the playground. I liked to challenge them to races, and one time I slid though the finish on my butt because I was wearing my silly--but pretty-- patent leather shoes that went so well with that low waisted lavender dress. Not so good for running though.

None of us fit cookie cutter molds, even though we probably got pigeon holed somehow. Our school broke it up into 'Heads' and 'Jocks' (and everyone else was just really smart or no body.....) I played a sport because I got lucky and made the team (field hockey) on the first ever sport I tried out for, but I didn't make any of the other ones. So I wasn't exactly a jock, but I wasn't an alienated, disaffected total burn out who smoked in the bathroom and got high behind the bus garage, so the Heads didn't trust me either. I spent many a lonely lunch at the no-man's land table of no group, clique, or set.

So, what were you like, when you were a kid, and it seemed like you might always be that great first baseman, or that kid who got picked last for teams? Were you a smart, shy kid who never quite fit in? A popular cheerleader and class officer? Sitting on the bathroom sink, smoking a butt, scaring the nice kids out of there? Making out in the hallway? Where did you fit, or not? Did you care?

And do you still see that kid in you now? I still like to challenge the boys, question authority, and have a snarky mouth. The years have mellowed me somewhat, and given me wisdom and grace, but that kid is still alive and well inside me.