Just one of those days … [Repost]

In 8th grade, some of us were assigned to home rooms in the high school because there was not enoughroom for all of us at Parkway School. Some envied us – the access to older guys, being able to make friends with some of the older girls, an opportunity to learn about “important things.” I was terrified. My father was a teacher at the high school. He was strict and imposing. Lots of people were afraid of him. I wasn't afraid of him, but I wasn't eager to have him aware of everything I did all day every day either.

I tried to blend in and basically get lost in the traffic, sit in the back and keep quiet. Then Miss Hanicker happened to me. [Not just me, of course. It just seemed that way.] I was sitting in the back row in Miss Hanicker's math class. She called on me to solve the problem written on the front blackboard. Unfortunately, I couldn't see clearly enough to read the board. Miss Hanicker moved me to the front row for the rest of the class, and then sent me to see Mrs. Brady, the school nurse.

Mrs. Brady checked my eyes using the big Ǝ E eye chart. Then she called my father! He clearly did not understand the situation. He asked, “Are you doing this to get attention??” Was he kidding? [He was not!] I was trying to be invisible and I had been singled out on the very first day of 8th grade! In front of the entire class! And then they called my father!! What else could go wrong? Clearly, I did not fully grasp the situation yet either!! I had not yet realized the potential outcome! So my father conferred with Mrs. Brady and then called my mother, who called Dr. Farrell for an appointment for my eye exam.

After school, I got on the city bus and went to Dr. Farrell's office on Genesee Street. Dr. Farrell was so nice, and tried to break the news gently but there was no easy way to say it. I would have to wear GLASSES. GLASSES, for heavens sake!!! “But I can't wear GLASSES,” I said. “I already have BRACES!” That was one of the worst days of all my time at the high school. But the next day, I picked up my new glasses anyway.


We all have “worst days.” I'm grateful that I didn't have that many, and that mine were usually behind me before I had too much time to reflect on them.