Tuesday, April 13, 2004
SENIOR SNEAK DAY
There were only a few days left before graduation. We had a Senior Sneak Day and toured a couple of natural springs in the area. Far enough away to feel we had an outing but close enough we could get there and back by school dismissal. It was a balmy Spring day and it seemed the whole world was in bloom. South Missouri is beautiful any time of year but Spring is the best with her blossoms sprinkled over the hills in every color. Fall is a close second with the vivid coloring of leaves competing with an azure sky and white, puffy clouds strolling by.
We traveled in a school bus and everyone paired off to sit with special friends. If you’ve ever ridden a school bus you are aware of the good natured frolicking that goes on. It’s hard to ignore for you are either a laughing spectator or the one perpetuating the fun. At times you might even be the target of someone’s joke but at least in our day it was all in good humor. The bus driver would glance up in the mirror occasionally but we never gave him a reason or need to exert discipline.
Seniors were given some loose reins the last month of school as the grades were pretty well settled and about all we had to do was show up and enjoy the dwindling days. We had good student-teacher relations. In a small town you know your teachers well. You’ve either sat close to them in church, waited on them at the drug store, seen them in the restaurants or waved as they drove by on the street. Many times they had been sponsors at Teen Town, helped with our parade floats, cheerleading, pep-club and so on. Every function was over-seen by teachers. They were so much a part of the community it was always tough saying good-bye when their career took them on to a bigger school.
I ate breakfast every morning at a small café just down the street from my rooming house. Each morning the coach would come in and order a 7-up and his breakfast. I on the other hand would order a cup of coffee and toast. It was practical and enjoyable as well as something hot to start the day. I never understood how coach could drink a 7-up so early in the morning but he did without fail.
At Booker Drug we had an older pharmacist, Mr. Smurr. He always had a scowl on his face and most of the kids (and some of the people) didn’t like him. He could be rather short and at times down right irritating. For some reason I was never afraid of him and when conversing I always gave him the benefit of the doubt. He had been a pharmacist in Kansas City in his younger days and I could tell he probably enjoyed a good life there. He kept himself spic and span and was very distinctive with wavy gray hair. For some reason he and his wife had ended up in Cabool and I supposed, weren’t too happy there. It was an end of the line thing and he yearned for those good old days. I could sympathize with that and always treated him respectfully.
One day he came to me with a small box and asked if I would wrap it so he could send it to his niece in Kansas City. She was graduating and he wanted her to receive a gift from him and his wife. I dutifully did as he asked, wrapped it in gift paper and again for mailing. He was pleased and said he would address it.
The next day when I went to the post office to inquire if I had any mail the clerk brought several cards and a small package. When I opened the parcel it was a billfold from Mr. and Mrs. Smurr for graduation. I was totally surprised and humbled by the gift.
In time he lost his beloved wife and finally had to quit working because of his own ill health. I always had a soft spot for Mr. Smurr…..he was misunderstood mainly because people couldn’t get past his gruffness but underneath he had a heart of gold. Life brings many people into our lives and if we stop long enough to truly see and hear who they are……..we find a friend.
Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther
We traveled in a school bus and everyone paired off to sit with special friends. If you’ve ever ridden a school bus you are aware of the good natured frolicking that goes on. It’s hard to ignore for you are either a laughing spectator or the one perpetuating the fun. At times you might even be the target of someone’s joke but at least in our day it was all in good humor. The bus driver would glance up in the mirror occasionally but we never gave him a reason or need to exert discipline.
Seniors were given some loose reins the last month of school as the grades were pretty well settled and about all we had to do was show up and enjoy the dwindling days. We had good student-teacher relations. In a small town you know your teachers well. You’ve either sat close to them in church, waited on them at the drug store, seen them in the restaurants or waved as they drove by on the street. Many times they had been sponsors at Teen Town, helped with our parade floats, cheerleading, pep-club and so on. Every function was over-seen by teachers. They were so much a part of the community it was always tough saying good-bye when their career took them on to a bigger school.
I ate breakfast every morning at a small café just down the street from my rooming house. Each morning the coach would come in and order a 7-up and his breakfast. I on the other hand would order a cup of coffee and toast. It was practical and enjoyable as well as something hot to start the day. I never understood how coach could drink a 7-up so early in the morning but he did without fail.
At Booker Drug we had an older pharmacist, Mr. Smurr. He always had a scowl on his face and most of the kids (and some of the people) didn’t like him. He could be rather short and at times down right irritating. For some reason I was never afraid of him and when conversing I always gave him the benefit of the doubt. He had been a pharmacist in Kansas City in his younger days and I could tell he probably enjoyed a good life there. He kept himself spic and span and was very distinctive with wavy gray hair. For some reason he and his wife had ended up in Cabool and I supposed, weren’t too happy there. It was an end of the line thing and he yearned for those good old days. I could sympathize with that and always treated him respectfully.
One day he came to me with a small box and asked if I would wrap it so he could send it to his niece in Kansas City. She was graduating and he wanted her to receive a gift from him and his wife. I dutifully did as he asked, wrapped it in gift paper and again for mailing. He was pleased and said he would address it.
The next day when I went to the post office to inquire if I had any mail the clerk brought several cards and a small package. When I opened the parcel it was a billfold from Mr. and Mrs. Smurr for graduation. I was totally surprised and humbled by the gift.
In time he lost his beloved wife and finally had to quit working because of his own ill health. I always had a soft spot for Mr. Smurr…..he was misunderstood mainly because people couldn’t get past his gruffness but underneath he had a heart of gold. Life brings many people into our lives and if we stop long enough to truly see and hear who they are……..we find a friend.
Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther
