I had a memory this morning as I was fixing breakfast for the family. I realized it was May 1st. May Day. The memory was of long ago, when I was an eight year old, living in Staten Island, NY with my parents as my dad attended an Army ordained course. Living in New York could be a whole series of posts in itself, maybe I should start that series for Tuesdays in the summertime, Terrible Tuesday, Traumatic Tuesday, Tumultuous Tuesday (get the picture?) , fun times! Anyway, the year we spent there was full of memories, and this one is a doosie.
I attended a public school there on the island, it was a cold, brick, three story building and as my dim memory recalls, had bars on the windows and no playground, except for the concrete yard.
My teacher was mean, the kids were strange, I had a few friends, but mostly it was just pure third grade torture.
On May Day every year the school put on a festival. My memories are really not clear on it, I think I have a permanent mind block, but I remember that we had to learn a dance and wear costumes and perform. I remember that my partner for the dance was Jimmy Erbach and that he had a crush on me. I remember that our dance was a Greek one or Hungarian one or really, I guess I don't remember at all - just that is was awful and tortuous and not one bit of fun. Oh, and I think the costume was red. I remember being completely humiliated at the whole event, not only can I NOT dance, as a Baptist preacher's kid, dance was a FIVE letter word in our home -- just as foreign to my world as the New York world I was living in.
I know there are pictures in existence and as soon as I can get to my parent's house, I will get one and add to this post -- believe me, I am sure it is worth the wait!! HA!
So, today is May Day. I am wondering if they still have this May Day festivity at my dear old P.S. 39? I am wondering where Jimmy Erbach is and if anyone remembers those dance steps? And I am really thinking there is a lot of New York material -- no kidding, I think I will start a weekly series... check back - Youse Guys!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
1 comment:
This sure brings me back - I moved in the middle of my jr. year in high school. From rural, farm country USA to a suburban, "my dad's a lawyer, my dad's a dr." town. Culture shock, grief and angst at leaving my girlfriends, and serious anger at being a big fish in a little pond now forced to be a tiny fish swimming with girl sharks. Tough year and a half till I jetted off to college!
Thank God for a couple good friends, and for loving consistent parents who hung in there for the worst of my teen crap!!!!!
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