Halcyon Days

So, is there any time in your memory that you were mortally wounded by the word "slowpoke?"

There were many words and taunts that pierced my tender young heart during my years at school, but slowpoke was not among them - even though I was always the second slowest runner in my class, after Will P. I hated running, I hated gym class, and I really hated Mariza because that little bitch was fast! I liked Mariza a lot when we weren't in gym class, but she could really fly around the track. I envied her that ability. Mariza is now a pediatric neurosurgeon, and I envy her a lot more than her speed. Impressive, huh? But I digress.

Everyone, I'm sure, has some searing memory about their time in primary school when they were bullied or made to feel inferior - too short, too fat, funny clothes, too tall, too skinny, too dorky, you name it. Kids are tough on one another. I sometimes think that it's by grace of selective memory that we make and keep our childhood friends.

Miss Peanut had her first full day of Kindergarten today. I sent her off with the typical worries - will she fit in? Will she be accepted? Will she learn anything? Realistically, I shouldn't have worried about her fitting in or being accepted, as three of her friends from pre-school were going with her, but, remembering my tough childhood, I couldn't help myself. I picked her up from daycare this afternoon, practically trembling in anticipation of her dramatically throwing herself into my arms, collapsing in sobs, declaring she never wanted to go back to that evil place where everyone hated her ever again!!! Didn't happen. She didn't say much about school, except that she didn't like gym class.

See, I actually got a note from Miss Peanut's teacher, saying that she made two poor choices in her behavior today, and one of them was calling one of her friends a "slowpoke." I guess she's not just like me after all.

My child, the bully. Maybe she'll be a pediatric neurosurgeon, too.