Oh, how I loved Kindergarten.  From my writings here, I’ve come to find out that many people did not “have” Kindergarten when they were small.  I am sorry for that sad, sad, fact about your 5th or 6th year here on this planet.   From German to English, it literally means Children’s Garden….  what could be snap-happier than that?

There was a little boy in my class…. Tommy Trick.  I thought Tommy was as cute as could be.  He had really long eyelashes and he didn’t know bunny-ear over bunny-ear….  so I often got the high-sign to help him tie his shoes.  He smelled good and always had squeaky-clean matching clothes.  I wonder what ever happened to Tommy and his impeccable style….

My Kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Eckert.  She was the most wonderful lady.  As sweet and gentle as dew drops on the morning grass, I’ll tell you.  She was very soft spoken and moved about the classroom with purpose.  She smelled good too. Like cookies.  I was fond of Mrs. Eckert…  I wonder what ever became of her.  My guess is, by now, she has passed.  She seemed really, really old when I had her for a teacher…. she was probably 38, or something….

Then there was nap time.  I think I loved it, most of all.  We had to bring in beach towels.  When it was time to nap, Mrs. Eckert would pull down all the shades in the classroom.  We’d roll out our little towels on the floor and had to be still and quiet.  I think I fell asleep more often than not.  At the end of the nap, one person would come around and tap our shoulders to rouse us.  This person was the Waking Prince (or Princess).  After we woke and rolled up our mats, we’d each get a cookie.  Again, one person got to hand them out….. the Cookie Fairy.  I liked being the Waking Princess and the Cookie Fairy.

We had other little treats throughout the half-day.  It seems like there were always fresh cut flowers in the classroom….. seems like it.   There was Story time.  Drawing.  Games.  I’m telling you, this should have carried over to other grades…. like all the way through college if you ask me.

The world might be a nice place if we took naps, and ate cookies right after.  And helped each other with bunny ear over bunny ear….