Yes Ma'am

       It was supposed to be an exciting time of discovery, new friends, new challenges.  It turned out to be a disaster.
       During the summer after 4th grade my family moved from Memphis TN. to Chicago Ill. Having grown up in the south I was excited about snow in the winter, baseball games at Wrigley Field, learning to play Hockey, and being on a new family adventure.  The end of the summer marked the beginning of school. I had met a few friends in the neighborhood, but was looking forward to meeting my classmates, teachers and trying to navigate 5th grade.
       Did I mention that I had grown up in the south?  It didn't dawn on me to check with my friends about dress codes.  I proudly showed up the first day of class in my jeans with rolled up cuffs, dress shoes and white socks!  I had no idea why the kids lining the hall were laughing that morning.  I was aware when I got to class that other kids seem to know something that I didn't. But it was later that day that finally one compassionate soul told me that white socks and dress shoes was what everyone was laughing at.
        If the white socks weren't bad enough, I found that my vocabulary was a source of entertainment as well.   At the beginning of the class the teacher asked me a question to which I proudly responded "Yes Ma'am". Did I mention I had grown up in the south?  The roar of laughter was deafening. I thought for a moment that a couple of kids might have injured themselves falling out of their desks on to the floor. "Yes Maaa'aaaam"  I was mocked.  "Yes Ma'am's" followed by more laughter repeated all over the room.
        All summer I had looked forward to the first day of school. I had imagined all kinds of scenarios as to how the day would play out. Being embarassed, humiliated, made fun of and outcasted was never the future I had dreamed about.  
         My 5th grade school year actually turned out ok.  I made some friends. I never wore white socks with dress shoes again and my "Yes "Ma'am" became less comical as the weeks went by.


For some fun stories visit my friend at:
http://chickendotpie.blogspot.com/

for a great place to stay visit:
www.chimneycreekcabin.com