Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Thursday, August 29, 2013

Dreaded First Day


Standing: Bern, Eldor, Glen
Sitting: Mom

On Mom's first day of school, she spoke almost no English, only Swedish.
This is her story - in her own words from her journals . . .

My first day of school was anticipated with the fear and anxiety which had been passed down to me from my brothers who went before me.
I recall horror stories with exaggeration about strappings, sitting on a stool at the front of the room for being late, and beatings from older boys.
Beware of the 'older boys'.
As the time came for me to make my debut, my legs became so numb that I could hardly walk.
I was so afraid.
Winnie Charleton (two years older) kindly took me by the hand and led me into the one-room schoolhouse.
Mrs. Hunter smiled as she pointed to the desk at the front of the room where I would work.
Four other girls sat behind me in the same row.
"Good Morning, boys and girls!" said Mrs. Hunter.
"Good Morning!" responded the class.
All except me.
Mrs. Hunter looked at me with a lop-sided smile.
"Can't you say, Good Morning?" she asked.
"Yah," said I, then quickly, the line I had rehearsed with Mama, "Min nom Enes. I am half past six."
Little titters rippled around the room.
"Would you say that again, please?" asked Mrs. Hunter.
Luckily, I understood.
"Min nom Enes, I am half past six."
The giggles turned into a roar as the thirty or so children rocked with laughter.
I was so humiliated that I laid my head on the desk and covered it with my arms.
What would my punishment be for this, I wondered?
Mrs. Hunter simply said, "Enes - that's a nice name."
Then she turned to the blackboard and wrote her name.
I worried all day about the punishment I would receive, but nothing happened.
We were given our first primer and we tried to copy the words DOG and CAT. We copied numbers, 1 to 10, and played 'I Spy'.
My fears finally dwindled.
School was actually fun!

15 comments:

  1. What a charming story! Her brothers sound exactly like mine! They had me so terrified of school and I ended up loving it too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Poor little girl to be so scared.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am beginning to see how the writing gene has been handed down in your family - your mom, you, your son ... it must be wonderful to have your mom's stories in her own words.

    Thankfully her teacher was one of the kindly ones. Like Delores said, poor thing to be so scared!

    Chuckling at your label! Do you ever use any of your labels more than once? hee hee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It brings her just a bit closer!
      I think her teacher must have made all of the difference.
      Used labels? Probably! I can only be clever just so often . . .

      Delete
  4. Oh - and I LOVE that picture! Old photos are fascinating!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVE that picture! All are gone now. But they are so full of fun and future in that picture!

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. I can just see her sitting there. Little tow head! She certainly had courage!

      Delete
  6. Thank you for sharing this story, Diane!

    Love,
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm very glad your mum had such an understanding teacher for her first day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it made all the difference! She went on to excel in her schooling.

      Delete
  8. Diane, what a sweet story! And that picture! It has me grinning from ear to ear. Your mamma--what spunk! Fear or no fear she soldiered on, didn't she? hee hee hee! :)

    ReplyDelete

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