I remember a TV commercial a few years ago that must have been promoting a particular kind of car. (I forget which.) This car was for the “adventuresome”, those who wanted to think "outside the lines". It showed a long, empty stretch of highway through the desert, and the car was racing down the highway, obviously ignoring the rules of the road!
This commercial immediately evoked memories of my younger son, Matthew. When he was four years old his dad and I divorced. As I had to go to work to support us, he had to go into daycare. There was a recommended daycare right behind the apartments in which we lived. The fence surrounding our apartments had a missing board that allowed Matthew to squeeze through, and we didn’t have to make the long trip around the block when I was rushing to get to work every morning.
In the beginning, this was a great new adventure for Matthew. He was a very bright four year old who loved his books at home, and was excited about learning. After a week or two, my exuberant little towhead began to balk at going to “school”. Finally, one day he began to sob uncontrollably and cling to me. He didn’t want to go at all anymore. I asked him why. Between sobs, he told me, “They make me stay between the lines!”
I immediately went to the director of the school with this, and asked her what on earth was upsetting him so. What was this “between the lines” he spoke of? It seems two hours of these youngsters’ days were spent in coloring mimeographed pictures! Not only was that waaay too long to keep a four year old interested in doing the same thing over and over, but to “stay within the lines” when he used his crayons?? Ahhh, how they crushed the creativity in this little boy!
The teacher in that class informed me that he had to learn to stay within the lines before he started to real school. I told her and the director that this child would be faced with a minimum of 12 years of schooling, including following lots of rules and regulations, soon enough. At barely four years of age I thought he deserved the chance to play and enjoy being a rambunctious little boy a while longer!
Not long after that, Matthew resumed his enthusiasm for attending his daycare. I later learned that for the following year, he was treated differently from all the other little ones. When they had to sit for two hours coloring within the lines, Matthew was allowed to go outdoors and play on the playground. One of the workers even went so far as to really spoil him. If he didn’t like the food they served for lunch, she would fix him a special peanut butter and jelly sandwich! His experiences in that school may not have been the best for him, but it was better than his being miserable and forced into what I considered unproductive activities at a much too young age.
How many of us, and ones like us, suffered from the restrictions society placed on us to conform at an early age? I remember a second grade teacher of my older son who informed me that they had nothing to offer brighter than average children, because, “We believe that your child will have to learn sooner or later to adjust to and get along with the slow people in our society and he might as well start to now”. So the curriculum in that particular school was geared to the slowest students. To keep Craig out of trouble when he finished his work early, I had to ask her to give him extra assignments! Not only did his behavior improve, so did his grades.
These little tales make me so thankful for the better schools my grandchildren have the opportunity to attend. There is even an entire elementary school for gifted students that my granddaughter Hannah attends in Dallas. I believe that most schools today have something to offer gifted students that will challenge them, and give them the opportunities to explore the realms “outside the lines”. The Advanced Placement courses offered in high school are another example of how our educational system has progressed. Of course, like most I hear from in our class, I believe Ballinger High School was an extremely good school, with above average teachers. I don’t know if that was the norm everywhere then, but it certainly wasn’t the norm where my own children had to attend school.
I know how important rules, regulations, and indeed “lines” are in our culture, however, I often wonder how much further along we as a society might be now if we had not had so many “shoulds” and restrictions placed on us at an early age. The people who have made the most contributions to our world are often the ones who dared to work and play “outside the lines”!
By the way, have any of you felt, like I have, that there is an inordinate amount of gifted and talented children being born into the world today? I thought for a while that it was the better health of the mothers giving birth. You know… no caffeine or medications ~ not even aspirin ~ better vitamins, more natural childbirths, etc. Now my theory is that it must be the evolution of our species. But that is another story for another blog.
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PAUL MOTA is one I can always count on to give me some feedback on the blog. I asked him to tell me a little more about growing up in Ballinger. This was his submission:
"I have some wonderful memories of growing up in Ballinger…
I guess most of what I remember was the freedom to go everywhere without the fear there is today of someone molesting you or anything like that. I remember coming home on leave and locking the door to my mother's house, and she had such a strange look on her face. She always said, 'no one breaks in, why are you locking the door?'
I remember as a young kid spending the whole day out at the river or at the park with my friends. I think kids today don't realize what they are missing. It was a wonderful way to grow up. Now when I think of the things we did, it is a miracle that most of us survived. Some of the fun things could have caused us severe injuries or even death. Someone was watching over us for sure.
I remember some very caring teachers all through the Ballinger system. I know from my days away from Ballinger that I had a solid education. I hope that is still continuing to be the norm. I clearly remember Mrs. Ruble trying to convince me to stay in school and not drop out to join the Air Force. But at 18, we all knew everything, didn't we?
I had 4 sisters and 4 brothers, all born and raised in Ballinger. My mother was mainly a housewife, and my father worked for the railroad. One brother, Ramon, served his 4 years in the Air Force and returned, and to this day remains in Ballinger. He knows everyone there a lot better than I do.
I guess I was kinda quiet in school. I went to ASU at a late age (40 or so), and since that time I have gained confidence and I don’t think I am as quiet as before. I see myself now as enjoying life, music, sports, and trying to laugh as much as possible. “~ PAUL (Editor's note: I tried to get Paul to send me a photo with a big smile!)
PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE lived in the house pictured in the last blog post ~ 805 5th Street. She correctly identified it: "This house looks like the one we lived in on 5th street - there was a separate garage in the back with a second story apartment. It was near the water tower - about half a block or so. It has been a long, long time, though. The tree threw me off a bit - it was so small when we lived there." ~ PEG (Editor's note: As I previously said, houses ~ like us~ morph into something quite different over a period of 50 years!)
In a recent email from PEG, it sounded like she is on a cruise to Mexico about now. If that is so, PEG, send us some pictures to share!
HEALTH UPDATES:
I spoke with JERRY DAVIS this week and he sounds like he is doing very well. It will be a few more weeks before the doctors can tell the full effects of the radiation treatments he endured. However, He said one doctor told him he was pleased with the latest x-ray, and that it showed some improvement in his lung. JERRY, as usual, had a few funny stories to relate, but not necessarily any for the blog! I'm waiting on one of those, JERRY.
IRENE PIEL BATTS was given the okay by her surgeon in San Antonio to start radiation treatments. She is healing very well from all the surgery. She will meet with the doctors in San Angelo this week to schedule her treatments. Her spirits remain high, and she feels very blessed by all your prayers and concerns.
Please continue to send loving thoughts (and prayers) to both JERRY and IRENE. They both still have a good deal of pain to deal with.
Many of you by now have realized that JUNE HASH CURRY is quick to send emails, cards, and good wishes to any who have birthdays or health challenges. She is going through a battery of tests to determine if she needs another back surgery to alleviate severe pain in her upper back. I know you will all want to wish her well, and hope the cause of her discomfort will soon be discovered and completely eradicated. We want to visit with her at the next All-School Reunion.
JEEP JACKSON has recently moved to Queen City, Texas near the Arkansas border, and GLENN SMITH has moved to Abilene. I will update you with their new addresses and telephone numbers shortly. I know that GLENN still has the same email address, so you may reach him there or write to him at his P.O. box number here in Ballinger.
The weather has been so beautiful lately. The cooler nights indicate that fall may soon arrive. I hope so. This summer has been really hot! Lots of 100+ temperatures.
Have fun out there, enjoy life, and share the Good Stuff with us.
Marilyn
