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When I was in the sixth grade something unspeakable occurred. My lunch
period teacher actually put me at the back of the lunch line. It’s no
surprise that I expected to be at the front of the line, as I had for
six previous years. That is except the two years Stinky Allison was in
my classes. Hey, when your last name begins with a “B”, you usually get
lined up that way in all classroom events. So, on the first day in the
lunch line, there I was at the head of the line. Stinky was in another
class. Everything went just as expected the first couple of days; I was
first in line all the time. Then that embarrassing day happened. If
Miss McGee said we were to line up differently, I honestly don’t
remember hearing it. Unfortunately during those years, I had a habit of
not listening very well. So, she may have actually given new
instructions about lining up for lunch. I just didn’t hear them.
I knew something was wrong, when the kid standing behind me was Gayle
White instead of Jim Cooksey. And behind her was Beverly Valentine. As
I was standing there arguing they had lined up wrong, Miss McGee had
walked up behind me and put her hand on my shoulder. Leaning in
closely, she whispered louder than I wanted, “Today, we are going to
reverse the line and start with Z. You’ll be last to lunch.” Ouch!
Talk about embarrassing! Not only would I not get to be first, but
Gayle and Beverly heard every word she said. And on top of that,
everybody knew the last in line got smaller portions of the good foods.
Ok, I was doomed as everyone in the front of the line laughed. Back to
the back of the line I went, with head hung low and avoiding all those
staring eyes. That lasted for what seemed forever.
The next Monday, I clearly heard Miss McGee say we were changing the
line back. Great! I’d get to be first again. At least I thought I
heard her say that. But, when I got to the front of the line, there
stood Larry Linder. Oh my gosh! Just what did he think he was doing?
L’s were never first in line! And there standing behind him was Josh
Martin. Hey, the cobwebs started clearing and I guessed I missed the
instructions again. So, I looked for Jim Cooksey and just jumped in
line in front of him. Wow, we were half way back in line this time.
I guess I really looked confused or maybe she saw me try to go to the
front of the line again. But whatever, Miss McGee found me after lunch
and sat down with me to explain what was going on. Without embarrassing
me in front of my friends, she told me how she was supposed to help us
learn to take turns. And she explained one way was to have each person
in the room be at the front of the lunch line for at least two or three
days during each semester. She said it was only fair for everyone else
to have a turn and one day I would understand. She also explained how
taking turns helped everyone else learn to be patient and share with
others. She said sharing time and good feelings was just as important
as sharing pencils, toys and books. She was right. I did eventually
understand about taking turns. But, she was right about more than what
she had explained. Sharing helps us live together without fighting. It
is essential to driving a car, as you have to be willing to share the
road, right of way and resources.
I also later figured out that you can’t even expect respect from
others if you fail to share. Taking turns is a form of sharing. It is
an important lesson to be learned as early in life as possible.
Teach your kids how to share time, emotions and possessions and build
a stronger more confident child. Do you think Miss McGee understood how
to teaching sharing? I think so.
Dr. Frank |
