Amie
06-01-2006, 12:04 PM
Before the big day, each classroom created their own shirts, established their own colors, and gave themselves a name. My daughter's class drew pictures of themselves and the teacher sent the pics in to this company that transferred them all, signatures included, onto shirts. Their color was green, and they were "Anson's athletes". Just like the other classes, they had spent the morning making signs in support of their class.
Amanda competed in two events: hurdles and the three legged race.
She took home participation ribbons in both - and scrapes from the three-legged race. She was still immensely satisfied. I think she just likes to get hot and dusty, and eat melty snow-cones with her friends.
Field day truly a day of comradery for the kids, I haven't missed one yet.
When I walked up, a Mom with our class asked if Amanda was my little girl. "Yes", I said. She said "She's so charismatic and charming". I thanked her and asked who she was there to cheer. She pointed to the little girl that I have mentioned before is openly a Jehovah's witness. It's no biggie, she and Amanda have had some conversations about God throughout the year.
I wondered half jokingly to myself, if the comment that her Mother made before was a compliment after knowing her belief. I talked to her a bit further and she continued to smile and be friendly, encouraging her daughter's interaction with Amanda. It must have been a compliment; I felt uneasy at my even having doubts.
My doubt came from me though. "Charismatic" and "religion" is often associated with "cult" or accusation of associations with one. It only took a second to see this for the untrue story it is. I mean, as if people have to be boring to believe in God, or to lead - not!
"Friend's Mom" had to go early though. She had a baby with her and though it was overcast, it was still a bit much (the heat) for a baby.
While I sat near, "Friend" began to tell Amanda that "her God" is going to come someday, and kill "alllll" of the bad people. Only the good people will be allowed to stay. Her God, she said, is going to make the world so wonderful that you could even pet sharks.
Amanda kept watching the events in front of her in effort to avoid the subject, until the mention of the sharks. She said that she would like to pet a shark. Then she went back to watching.
Anxietie's risen, "Friend" went on to inform Amanda that she would teach her "alllll" about her God, so Amanda could be there too, and wouldn't die. (second graders, if you are wondering)
Just before this conversation, they had been goofing and talking, really connecting. After it started, there was a clear void between them.
I saw two little girls who are so very close otherwise, be distanced in the name of God. It was the beginnings of it on a bigger scale. I've felt that way. I know people who I think are great fun to be around, and once who had great fun hanging with me - who in the name of God felt they had to set those emotions aside.
Less than an hour before that, there was distance between myself and "Friend's Mom" because of my own beliefs.
I don't think that God would want his children separated in his name. The only people that I recall Jesus setting himself apart from are those who did. Even then, he was around them to be quoted in conversation with them, wasn't he?
Well, for the grand finally, the school always holds the classroom tug-of-war championships. It's a huge deal for all of the kids. We had it clenched.
You see, Amanda's teacher couldn't participate because she was set to compete in a marathon that afternoon. One of the like, 7 feet tall Dads had agreed to be the anchor :). Needless to say, the anchors for the other two classes were women that he towered over. It was really unfair, and it was time to choose a new anchor. I think that something possessed me, because I felt my mouth moving and heard my voice say "I'll do it". Haha, I'm kidding, I had been wanting to be the anchor since my own elementary school years!
The first go-round was awesome. After a couple of minutes of holding the line steady, I realized that I needed to MOVE (lol!). I was straining too hard to shout instructions to what was now my team. We knew what we set out to do since the beginning, and as one we willed that dang rope backwards!.. then the whistle blew and coach motioned in our direction! We had won!
Ready to rest, we headed to the sidelines. Since there were only 3 second grade classes though, there was no time for that. The kids returned somewhat confused. The teacher at the other end was a giant of a woman. I had seen her yank the other class down as soon as they blew the whistle so I readied myself. While the kids were still fighting over where people were before, the whistle blew - and I yanked! We locked up. She was shocked that she didn't pull us down.
Sometimes I guess, size does matter. (hahaha!!) I didn't move a muscle, but my feet slid across the dirt like a truck was towing me. It was over.
Many of the kids felt that they let me down, and began to blame other kids - then they started squabbling. I assured them that we had all done our best, and second "ain't bad" :). (Hey, they didn't count the number of classes, they just like the title, haha) I also told them that I was bummed out too and thanked them for allowing me to be on their team.
There is no rhyme or reason to this. Just a few hours in the life of Amie :). The few hours, moved me a lot.. in more ways than one! ;)
Amie
Amanda competed in two events: hurdles and the three legged race.
She took home participation ribbons in both - and scrapes from the three-legged race. She was still immensely satisfied. I think she just likes to get hot and dusty, and eat melty snow-cones with her friends.
Field day truly a day of comradery for the kids, I haven't missed one yet.
When I walked up, a Mom with our class asked if Amanda was my little girl. "Yes", I said. She said "She's so charismatic and charming". I thanked her and asked who she was there to cheer. She pointed to the little girl that I have mentioned before is openly a Jehovah's witness. It's no biggie, she and Amanda have had some conversations about God throughout the year.
I wondered half jokingly to myself, if the comment that her Mother made before was a compliment after knowing her belief. I talked to her a bit further and she continued to smile and be friendly, encouraging her daughter's interaction with Amanda. It must have been a compliment; I felt uneasy at my even having doubts.
My doubt came from me though. "Charismatic" and "religion" is often associated with "cult" or accusation of associations with one. It only took a second to see this for the untrue story it is. I mean, as if people have to be boring to believe in God, or to lead - not!
"Friend's Mom" had to go early though. She had a baby with her and though it was overcast, it was still a bit much (the heat) for a baby.
While I sat near, "Friend" began to tell Amanda that "her God" is going to come someday, and kill "alllll" of the bad people. Only the good people will be allowed to stay. Her God, she said, is going to make the world so wonderful that you could even pet sharks.
Amanda kept watching the events in front of her in effort to avoid the subject, until the mention of the sharks. She said that she would like to pet a shark. Then she went back to watching.
Anxietie's risen, "Friend" went on to inform Amanda that she would teach her "alllll" about her God, so Amanda could be there too, and wouldn't die. (second graders, if you are wondering)
Just before this conversation, they had been goofing and talking, really connecting. After it started, there was a clear void between them.
I saw two little girls who are so very close otherwise, be distanced in the name of God. It was the beginnings of it on a bigger scale. I've felt that way. I know people who I think are great fun to be around, and once who had great fun hanging with me - who in the name of God felt they had to set those emotions aside.
Less than an hour before that, there was distance between myself and "Friend's Mom" because of my own beliefs.
I don't think that God would want his children separated in his name. The only people that I recall Jesus setting himself apart from are those who did. Even then, he was around them to be quoted in conversation with them, wasn't he?
Well, for the grand finally, the school always holds the classroom tug-of-war championships. It's a huge deal for all of the kids. We had it clenched.
You see, Amanda's teacher couldn't participate because she was set to compete in a marathon that afternoon. One of the like, 7 feet tall Dads had agreed to be the anchor :). Needless to say, the anchors for the other two classes were women that he towered over. It was really unfair, and it was time to choose a new anchor. I think that something possessed me, because I felt my mouth moving and heard my voice say "I'll do it". Haha, I'm kidding, I had been wanting to be the anchor since my own elementary school years!
The first go-round was awesome. After a couple of minutes of holding the line steady, I realized that I needed to MOVE (lol!). I was straining too hard to shout instructions to what was now my team. We knew what we set out to do since the beginning, and as one we willed that dang rope backwards!.. then the whistle blew and coach motioned in our direction! We had won!
Ready to rest, we headed to the sidelines. Since there were only 3 second grade classes though, there was no time for that. The kids returned somewhat confused. The teacher at the other end was a giant of a woman. I had seen her yank the other class down as soon as they blew the whistle so I readied myself. While the kids were still fighting over where people were before, the whistle blew - and I yanked! We locked up. She was shocked that she didn't pull us down.
Sometimes I guess, size does matter. (hahaha!!) I didn't move a muscle, but my feet slid across the dirt like a truck was towing me. It was over.
Many of the kids felt that they let me down, and began to blame other kids - then they started squabbling. I assured them that we had all done our best, and second "ain't bad" :). (Hey, they didn't count the number of classes, they just like the title, haha) I also told them that I was bummed out too and thanked them for allowing me to be on their team.
There is no rhyme or reason to this. Just a few hours in the life of Amie :). The few hours, moved me a lot.. in more ways than one! ;)
Amie