Yesterday, as I was weeding out stuff I've been storing for decades, I found a hallway pass that was made out to me in my last semester of high school. The pass allowed me to go sit outside on the Senior Class benches to read my book. Yes, you read that right—a pass to read!
My first period was Reading, an English elective. I loved that class. We read novels and plays of our choice in class and wrote book reports about what we read. Without that class, I doubt I would've ever read such classics as Babbitt, Our Town, Death of a Salesman, The Jungle, Winnie the Pooh, and Rabbit, Run.
I don't know what it's like today, but 45 years ago when a high school senior already had her credits locked in for graduation, life was a picnic. Just as long as she didn't do something stupid, nor get caught for doing something stupid.
Now that's a nice note to see!
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely better than a note for the bathroom or the principal's office. LOL
DeleteThis is funny, sad but good all at once. Funny because you had to have a pass. Sad because they had to give you a pass to read and good...no great, that you got the pass to read and wanted to!
ReplyDeleteI can still remember the feel of the early Spring sun warming my body as I sat on the benches in front of the school. :-)
Deletelife was a picnic is a great sentence! P.
ReplyDeleteIt's starting to feel that way again. :-)
DeleteThat pass reminds of school. I can picture the nuns saying this in their stren nun-voices 'Do not loiter'. Nostalgia!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if "Do not loiter." ever put the fear into a kid with a pass.
DeleteThat hall pass is a real treasure. Bet you were reading Jane Austin...like I woes speak to read Lucy Maude Montgomery. These two together...the statue and the wall pass are great.
ReplyDeleteJane Austen didn't come until the summer after high school. I don't recall English teachers pushing her books like they did Charles Dickens. I wonder if that's changed. The Anne series is one of my favorites. I was way into my 30s before I came across the books in which she and Gilbert were married.
DeleteHeh, heh ... not getting caught was the tricky bit.
ReplyDeleteThe one day a friend and I decided to skip school, we passed the Girls Dean on the highway. Yup, she noticed.
DeleteI knew I just loved you for a specific reason! As a fellow reader, I think it is a shame young folks don't read the way we did! I like the feel of a book in my hands. I attended Catholic school, so I was forced to read all those classics and still love them today. With the passing of Harper Lee, I was saddened to lose such a talent but I have worn out at least 5 copies of her book To Kill A Mockingbird and all my girls love that love book too. I think your find was a terrific treasure with happy memories. Great share! xo
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