When I was in elementary school, there was a "city" school and a "county" school. If you lived within the city limits of Grenada, MS you attended Lizzie Horn Elementary. Outside the city limits children attended the small county school. (I hate to admit that its name escapes me.) But they all got to ride the bus to and from school and I thought that was great! Once I got to ride the bus home with a little county school girl. We fed her mother's chickens, and I knew that I wanted to live on a farm from the minute I laid eyes on all those hens. (Then one began pecking and flying at me and scared the liver out of me and I changed my mind about being a country girl.)
Anyway, I digress. When high school began, both city and county children came together and attended one high school, John Rundle High. The school was named after a man that looked just like his name sounds. Don't you love it when people's names fit them perfectly? His did. I enjoyed getting to know all these new people and I watched them in awe as they tried to fit in and make contributions to their new school. Most came from hard working families "out in the county"...in those days I thought that meant they didn't have all we "city" children had and I couldn't believe they did so well in school. I stupidly felt "we" had an edge..being from the city and all. (Of course, our Valedictorian came from the county school and has been unbelievably successful in life...so...so much for my theory!) Almost without fail, the county school kids were polite, kind and friendly. I really liked them and developed many lasting friendships with them .
My point in this diatribe is that many of the "county" school people weren't always flashy and they didn't always stand out and take center stage in school. Certainly not like the "city" slickers. After graduation, I wondered how they fared in life. When I attended the one and only class reunion I ever did go to (my tenth) I was dumbfounded at how brightly Good Fortune had smiled on my "county" school counterparts! Why, they looked wonderful and were all delightful to be around and had done extremely well in their life's choice of occupations.
Point to story: Don't EVER count somebody out because of your preconceived notions of them. I have seen children that I thought would NEVER do or be anything in life...you know the kind, those that only a mother could love. It never fails to make me feel great when I run into them and see that they indeed have become successful, productive adults. Some people are just late bloomers and when they finally do, POW!!! They do it with great vigor and gusto! So today's post is a "hats off" to all the "county school" children and late bloomers everywhere who had to put up with ding bats like me...and who are still my friends after all these years!
Anyway, I digress. When high school began, both city and county children came together and attended one high school, John Rundle High. The school was named after a man that looked just like his name sounds. Don't you love it when people's names fit them perfectly? His did. I enjoyed getting to know all these new people and I watched them in awe as they tried to fit in and make contributions to their new school. Most came from hard working families "out in the county"...in those days I thought that meant they didn't have all we "city" children had and I couldn't believe they did so well in school. I stupidly felt "we" had an edge..being from the city and all. (Of course, our Valedictorian came from the county school and has been unbelievably successful in life...so...so much for my theory!) Almost without fail, the county school kids were polite, kind and friendly. I really liked them and developed many lasting friendships with them .
My point in this diatribe is that many of the "county" school people weren't always flashy and they didn't always stand out and take center stage in school. Certainly not like the "city" slickers. After graduation, I wondered how they fared in life. When I attended the one and only class reunion I ever did go to (my tenth) I was dumbfounded at how brightly Good Fortune had smiled on my "county" school counterparts! Why, they looked wonderful and were all delightful to be around and had done extremely well in their life's choice of occupations.
Point to story: Don't EVER count somebody out because of your preconceived notions of them. I have seen children that I thought would NEVER do or be anything in life...you know the kind, those that only a mother could love. It never fails to make me feel great when I run into them and see that they indeed have become successful, productive adults. Some people are just late bloomers and when they finally do, POW!!! They do it with great vigor and gusto! So today's post is a "hats off" to all the "county school" children and late bloomers everywhere who had to put up with ding bats like me...and who are still my friends after all these years!
8 comments:
Do you remember that Mr. Rundle spoke at our kindergarten graduation? I don't remember much about it, but over the years Mother has recalled one thing he said to us -- she always quotes it with a deep, serious voice: "Little ladies, always be yourselves."
I had similar misconceptions about our county classmates. We knew a few of them -- we'd started first grade together and I think it was around third grade that Jones Road school opened. I think our county classmates had some advantages we didn't understand. They understood more about hard work -- their chores were a little more important to their families than making beds or drying dishes. They understood more about life. I'm glad that three of my grands live in the country in Illinois, surrounded by miles of corn fields, help tend a garden, and gather fresh eggs from their flock. They've seen real life drama when coyotes raided their chicken flock last summer. They attend small county schools and are getting a good education.
Isn't it funny what you think of things when you are smaller and how you do a complete turnaround when you grow up and have a little sense?! Julie, I couldn't think of Jones Road...thanks. Those kids added a whole lot to my school years!
I was one of those County School children and hope I fit into the category of those who were polite, kind and friendly while in school, and also made some contribution to society in my later years. It's amazing that the older we get the wiser we become and realize that all God's children (county or city) have the same potential and abilities, given the same opportunities. I look forward to another class reunion to meet again with old friends, county and city. I believe we're waiting on a facility that will accommodate such a large group. Hope to see y'all then.
Angela--the name of the county school was Jones Road and remember thats where we had our high school graduation because it rained and we couldnt have it on the football field. So many wonderful people and friends both city and county.
Pat, you ARE one of those sweet "county" school girls! I loved ya'll and still have such fond memories of all of you. Teresa Martin was the one I rode home on the bus with and will NEVER forget that experience! Remember all the Gore Springs, Tie Plant, Elliott, Duck Hill and Holcomb girls and boys? And Yes, Greer, I do remember graduation. Last night, Jones Road just wouldn't come to mind! I can still see it in my memory. Good memories and good friends!
I forgot Geeslin Corner!
Thanks for the memories !! Leaving a small school in Holcomb and going to a bigger school was nerve-wrecking to say the least . I remember when you wore a dress and shoes to match I would come with a simple blouse and skirt. I was always inspired by your taste in clothes. Your the reason I got my ears pierced!! Haha!!! I remember you inspired me ever time you had to give a book report you had so much self confidence!!!! And what's weird is your my grandsons librarian now !!!!! I hope he is going to be very successful in life !!!!!! P.S.Austin typed all of this for me and Austin said you gave them a great speech today!!!!
I am just delighted to have met him and am so happy we can reconnect! The Mansfields were always my favorite Holcomb girls! Remember FHA and Mrs. Davis and all her shirtwaist dresses?! You were the Rose Queen of FHA!!! Tell Austin to come see me anytime he needs help. I look forward to getting to know him.
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