Valentines, lunchboxes and such

Over the past couple months, I've come upon the realization that I'm growing increasingly out-of-touch with the culture that my students embrace. At times this makes me feel like I should start watching McGyver and going to Bingo every Friday night. But I'm honestly comforted by this revelation. I had always frowned-upon those teachers who desparately dangled to what ever shred of coolness they had left, and I refuse to join those ranks.
On a daily basis, I observe the familiar struggles that my adolescent students are going through, which are ten-times heightened now then when I was a tot. I adore my adult life and there is no amount of money that could lure me back into my childhood, as stable as it was. However, there are a few elements of childhood that I wish I could revisit for a day. Thus, my new list:

5 Things I Miss About Childhood

1. Valentine's Day: Spending V-day in the public schools is a blast 'cause it always reminds me of how great V-Day was when I was a kid. I'd spend about a week decorating my sad little shoebox with red construction paper and glitter, and I'd cut a card-sized slit into the top. When the big day came, we'd get to spend a whole afternoon playing games, getting our faces painted, and eating frosted, heart-shaped cookies. And even though everyone in my class was required to give me a Valentine, I just knew in my heart that the Scooby-Doo valentine from my current crush was extra special. No expectations, no heart-break, no bitterness. Just an afternoon of innocent fun.

2. Lunch Boxes. Do I honestly need to justify this one? I had a yellow, plastic Cabbage Patch Kids lunch box, and I thought it was the shit.

3. Energy: I don't ever recall being tired as a child. And when I was, I resisted the urge to sleep with full-force. I was the youngest of three kids, and thus, put to bed first. I was certain that once I fell asleep, the rest of my family would break out the ice cream, carnival rides, and zoo animals. And I would've missed it all. I'd get up at the crack of dawn every Saturday morning to catch my favorite cartoons. Getting up early wasn't a horrid task, it was a privilege.

4. Enthusiasum: when you're a kid, everything is new and exciting. I think that's what I love about working with kids. You get to re-experience the world through their eyes. I remember shopping at Target with my mom. And when we passed the stratigically placed bakery by the front door, I'd BEG my mom to by me a cookie shaped like Big Bird or Grover. Usually she didn't cave-in. But the day she was too tired to fight me, I'd get my cookie and it would be the best day ever! I can't remember the last time I've felt such pure joy from a mere cookie. I'd kill to feel that sort of enthusiasum again.

5. Black and Whites: this one needs a bit more explaining. When you're a child, complex concepts of the world are simple, black and white if you will. Good is good, evil is evil. God (without a doubt) exists, loves you, and wears a white robe and a great big beard (or atleast mine did). Athletes, Miss America, and the President are the nicest, least corrupt people in the world. Your Dad can beat up anybody. Your whole world is limited to your family, your neighborhood, and your school. And you're just fine with that. When you grow older, the black and white disappears, and is replaced with various shades of gray. Truths are revealed, and the world grows bigger and more complex with every passing day. Ignorance is bliss. That's exactly what made childhood life perfect: ignorance. And it was...bliss.

This is me twirling.