28 years ago, a timid, little blonde haired 10 year old girl made her way down a seemingly endless hallway in a new school of a rural Texas town. This was one of her first experiences with a major life change....and she didn't like it one bit. You see, the school she loved was in a "big city" 120 miles just north of this little town. She had lots of wonderful friends there. Ones she had grown up with the first 10 years of her life. Each day they would hop on their bikes (or Big Wheels) in search of new, exciting adventures that awaited them around the neighborhood. They went door to door selling rocks, swam so much in her backyard (her) hair turned green, and built snow forts as high as the roof. She loved her life on Dixon Street. Who wouldn't? Life Savers grew on trees there!! But, on a day that she will never forget her uncle came for "a visit." She remembers him sitting on the couch talking for hours to her mother and daddy. About what? She hadn't the first clue. It was all gibberish to her. But it was something. Something very important. In the weeks to follow, that "something" caused great bitterness in her heart towards her uncle. Her life was fine and good and right before he came! This had to be his fault. She was having to leave her home, her friends, and the life she loved all because of him! (although forgave him very quickly....and is thankful today that "his important talk" with her parents was actually all part of God's wonderful plan for her life!!)She knew a little bit about this small town she was moving to. She had spent every Christmas and at least one week every summer there since she could remember. Several grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins lived there. It was very small. Main Street was literally the "main" street. And apparently all "important matters" of the town were discussed over coffee at the DQ every afternoon at 3 o'clock by the old timers (including her own Granddaddy). There were no stop lights, skating rinks, or movie theaters there. Only one clothing store (which her Grandmother worked at, and she loved to go play in), an old fashioned drug store, a post office, a little grocery store (not the big, fancy kinds she was used to), and of course....the only restaurant......Dairy Queen! No Pizza Inn? No Burger King or McDonalds? No Wonderland? The zoo? What about Fun Fest and Kids Inc? And spending every day in her backyard pool with her friends? There was nothing here in this little town. No matter which direction she looked, flat farmland was as far as her eyes could see. She loved coming to visit all her family there. But, to actually MOVE there, and leave the "big city"? No way!
On that cold, awful day she had to finally go to school, she was so scared. What would it be like? What if everyone stared at her? What if they did things differently here? What if no one talks to her? What if this...? What if that...? Well, she got one thing right. They did stare at her. They did whisper and point. But.....they also talked to her. And included her. And made her laugh....and before long, helped ease the pain of leaving her former school and all the friends she loved. She made NEW friends! And who would have ever thought.....stayed friends with most every single one of them....for 28 long years (and counting!!). They survived the awkward jr. high days together. Started high school together. One by one, got their driver's licenses together. Dated each other. Broke up with each other. And experienced all the ups and downs of high school together. Then, some even became college roommates. Were in each other's weddings. And were there in the waiting rooms together when they first became parents.
When the first day of 4th grade at her new school was over, she walked outside the building and saw her Granddaddy waiting for her. There was an instant calming. Her day had been filled with "news" and "firsts" and "strange faces." When their eyes met, she wanted to run. Run hard and fast. He represented security to her and she desperately needed to feel its warmth on that cold January afternoon. Like a good Granddaddy would do, he drove her straight to DQ Country. (it was 3:00 by the way) He ordered his regular black coffee, and she got an ice cream cone, sure to cure all that ails a sad 10 year old. (and it did!) The weeks turned into months and soon......the little scared blonde headed girl became more outgoing and smiled more and laughed! Oh, did she laugh. She quickly made a NEW best friend (that is still one of her BFF's to this very day!)
God knew. He knew the plans. He knew the timing. He knew all the characters that would have roles in this little's girls' "major life change." He dotted every i...and crossed every t. He had wonderful things that would await her future. You see, not only did she make the best friends ever in this new town, but she made fun memories along the way. She was saved at a GA Camp the summer following her winter move. She was in a small 2A school which allowed her naturally quiet, reserved personality to soar. (she would have been eaten alive in the 5A school she was "supposed to go to.") She quickly became a leader and excelled in school. She was involved in every activity, organization, and sport offered (highly unlikely had she stayed where she was at). She then went on to a wonderful Texas university 10 miles from her little hometown where 4 years later, she met her future husband. After graduation, she went back to that elementary school.....that endless "hallway." She taught along side her former elementary teacher and taught IN her old 5th grade classroom. The memories would flood her mind and cause her to break out in spontaneous laughter remembering the things that happened in that little room....so long ago. (as her students stared back at her in confusion)
Today, almost 28 years later when that little girl first walked that long hallway of her new school, her daughter, same age, same grade hesitantly had to walk that same exact hallway herself. They walked hand in hand as if in slow motion. The Mommy knew what her daughter was feeling. She relived the pain, the fear, the anger. For she herself had to walk the same path 28 years earlier. When they reached the room, the Mommy looked inside and quickly glanced at each face staring back at them. She laughed to herself thinking about the same strange faces she saw long ago, and how each one over time became some of her very best friends. "Forever friends" she calls them.
As the Mommy (and her husband) left the room this morning, her heart became heavy. If she could take the fear and anxiety away from her little girl on this very hard day, she would. But she knew. She knew what the future would likely hold for her daughter there in that school....in that small town. Just give it time. Give it a few days. A few weeks. And by the end of the year, she will surely be smiling just as her Mommy did for her 4th grade class picture. Big. Genuine. Loving her new life and all that God brought to her (including her most favorite pair of off-white knickers!)
When the dismissal bell rang today, the daughter stood just outside the same big green doors her Mommy did on her first day. Their eyes met over a crowded hallway. There was comfort. There was peace. And of course....some good ole' DQ Country ice cream followed! This time, the (great) Granddaddy wasn't there (but, oh, wouldn't he have LOVED to have been!). Instead, his wife, Great-Grandmother Mitchell was there.....who by the way, started Idalou Schools back in the 1930's in the...........you guessed it! 4th grade.
Ironic how life turns out sometimes. You travel long and hard...only to find the path God lay out for you wasn't straightforward....but rather one giant circle!
Caed (1st grade, age 7)..........and Reagan (4th grade, age 10)....the same as her Mommy when she moved to Idalou, and the 4th generation to attend Idalou Schools!
