Overheard at . . . School

"If we aren't running your lines you can work on your homework."


Strangely, my daughter's previous elementary schools hadn't had a school play. I had imagined its time was past.... like the ice cream bars in the cafeteria and the posting of class lists on the school's front doors. But here, at our new school, the play is a staple of the school year. It is discussed as far back as September. Parts are compared all the way up until the auditions in December. And then there is the nail biting wait to hear what part each child will get. Of course there is disappointment (rarely did I ever get the role I really wanted.) But there is also excitement... what will this different role be like?

Somehow I expected to move from a small suburb to a large city neighborhood and be distracted by the bright lights. Instead I am surrounded by dunking for apples and cake-walks and school plays (where the parents actually get involved building the sets and sewing the costumes.) The difference is subtle, but evident. Mostly double income families, lots of public transportation, mixed housing. It shouldn't add up to a community where the entire community drops by the school playground to socialize while they buy a Christmas Tree to the support the school. But it reminds me of home. Not my recent homes.... but my home from when I was young. Where we sang about George Washington in February and danced around the May Pole in May.

I thought I was searching for sprinklers... when maybe all along I was waiting for the bright lights.


What was the town like where you grew up? Have you landed someplace similar or someplace completely different? Do you think journeys are meant to take us away from home, or back to it? I love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment.


And here's to a Journey filled 2015 for all of us, whether your journey takes you to distant lands, or into the miracle of your own back yard. 

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