I had just moved to yet another new school and was feeling like am outcast, when something truly life-altering happened to me in the third grade. There was a local television show called Television Classroom that featured local students. I was selected to represent Campbell Elementary. At last someone recognized my unique star quality.
On the day of the show, I was escorted by the principal in his very own private car (I think it was a limo) to the television studio. I was placed on the set with two third graders from other schools and the Mister Rogers wannabe who hosted the show. He asked us the simplest of questions while we placed seeds on wet paper towels. Although it was exciting to be in front of the camera, this wasn't the best part.
The best part came after we were done filming when we were given a tour of the whole studio. The principal bought me orange soda out of a machine in the hallway. The sweetness lingered as I rode back to the school in the back of his car. I never felt more special.
This memory came back to me this morning as I was participating in an online workshop for perspective dissertation mentors at the online university I work for. We were each asked to post a short bio detailing our professional histories and interests. As I read the others and contemplated by own, I realized that I am, in many ways, ordinary, a reality I have tried to avoid since the third grade when I was crowned (by myself) queen of Television Classroom.
I am no more special than a wildflower growing alongside the road - special no, but beautiful none the less.
No comments:
Post a Comment