Ah, yes.  I hit the big “5″ this year, and I found myself at Coffee Springs Elementary School for the first time.  It was kindergarten, and I did not want to be there.  I remember pitching a fit my first day, but it was all better after I got to know the other kids.  I knew one or two of them already.

My teacher was Mrs. Yolanda Parker (no relation).  She was a very sweet lady, and I immediately took to her.  In fact, during the next couple of summers, she’d babysit me.  Anyhow …

Let me try to get the gears going … I remember The Letter People more than anything from kindergarten.  I also remember a sixth-grade girl that helped with our class, but not her name.  She had blonde hair, and I asked her if she was a boy because it was cut like a boy’s.  She got offended and never really spoke to me again.

Our classroom was between the main part of the school and the football field.  It was just a small, rectangular brick building with two rooms.  The school burned down a few years ago, although I’m not sure what remains.  I can’t remember the last time I was physically in Coffee Springs.

Anyhow, I always got a shorter nap time than everyone else because (and I’m not bragging) of my reading ability.  Mom always read to me, and I learned how to read early on.  After all the other kids went down for their naps, I would have a one-on-one reading session with Mrs. Parker.  I was reading on a first-grade level, so they fostered that.  After my reading lesson, I would lay on my mat and try to sleep.  I hardly ever did, but the teacher bribed us occasionally (the one treat I remember was a balloon with the Statue of Liberty on it).

I’m trying to remember the kids in my class (my yearbook is still at Mom’s house).  I remember Rodney, Velisha, Jennifer, Randy, Brandon, Cheryl, Tonisha, Jenora, Erik, Chad, Cristy … oh heck.  That’s all I can think of right now.  Randy, Chad, Brandon and Cheryl all became my “inner circle.”  Oh, yeah!  And Amanda.  She was my first little crush, but I think most of  the boys had one on her.

She was c-u-t-e.  A little brunette with a beautiful smile.  She’s probably the underlying reason my favorite hair color for a woman is brown.  Anyhow … I remember going to her birthday party and even talking to her on the phone from time-to-time.  It went nowhere because she transferred schools.  I think it was to Enterprise.

Lunch time was always fun.  I always had a can of Shasta Root Beer.  I can’t stand the stuff now.  Don’t know why.

The gymnasium was close to the lunchroom (not like anything was far away on that campus).  We were in the gym one day, and someone asked me if I knew how to tie a shoelace.  Ummm … sure.  I attempted it, at least.  I don’t know if they ever got the four knots out.

As you can tell, I’m just throwing random thoughts out.  I really need my yearbook.  I might add to this after I see Mom for Christmas.

For our graduation, we wore white caps and gowns with blue tassels.  We sang something, and I was so proud of that little diploma.  It wasn’t until after I got it on stage that I noticed it was blank.  I got very upset and stayed that way until they gave us the real thing later.  Hey, a boy is proud to know he excelled in his classes, and he wants proof!

I can’t really remember much more from my first year of school.  Like I said, I’ll add more if I something pops in there.  If you went to school with me there and remember something, please comment on this so I can add it.

First grade is next!  Back to 1980 …