Mrs. Smith

 My life has been blessed with some special longtime friends. Growing up in a relatively small town, I have a few, probably 10 or twelve, folks that I have known since Kindergarten. It's hard to believe, but that has been over 70 years ago.

My friends and I have a special bond. We were the first Kindergarten class to attend a brand new grade school. All of us, and to this day, we visit quite often, remember the large room, at the end of the new, blond brick building, which included, of all things, a slide, tiny wash-up sinks, a bathroom, and a working fireplace. All wonderous things, to little folks used to tiny two bedroom, one bath homes. All of us shared bedrooms with siblings, and no one, I knew had a TV, or two cars.

Kindergarten was full of experiences, that most of us remember, to this day. We learned to play together. We learned to share. Carrying chairs and scissors (hands gripped around the closed blades pointed down) correctly, were stressed skills. 

But, the activity that I remember most vividly, was our Rhythm Band. Our instruments were shiny new. There were triangles, with little wands to make the sound. Drums, with sticks. There must have been bells and cymbals, too. We believed we made marvelous music, playing together with great enthusiasm.

However, I don't remember playing any of those glorious instruments. I was relegated to playing the lowly sticks! Now, there were many more stick players, than anything else in our band. I wasn't alone, but I truly envied those kids who got to play the "real" instruments. 

It was never to be. Lesson Learned. 

It's okay to be just one of the average folks. Life has plenty of times to shine and be special, but mostly we must learn to be part of the whole group, caring for others, like ourselves, and blending in. A group that makes beautiful music, needs stick players. We are the back up singers, the family, the crew, the army, the support for the triangle players, of this world. We are needed. It's not a band, without us.

Dear Lord. the opportunities that you give us are vast. Learning is a never ending activity and lessons learned are part of our life long journey. Being supportive of others is, perhaps, the most important lesson of all. Teach us patience, understanding and, of course, show us how to love our neighbors.