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June 19, 2002 - The Last Day of School
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"It isn't the big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones. ~Jean Webster
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http://www.qksrv.net/click-404250-55515
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This one will bring back delicious memories! Be sure to send Karen an email and share this with your friends!
"The Last Day of School"
by Karen C. Driscoll
The last day of school. The first time the meaning of those words hits me is when I've just finished third grade. There is a wordless, excited buzzing that sings in my head and makes me giddy. I can see the summer extending before me - An eternity of Popsicles and fireflies, of lying in grassy fields and feeling the earth rising up to hold me. I am riding my bicycle, my Huffy two-speed with the turquoise sparkle paint and the cushy banana seat with the psychedelic daisies, around and around and around the block. First I'm riding with a pack of friends, and we're all yelling raucously "No more homework, No more books, No more teachers, dirty looks!!" and feeling like rebels.
Slowly the pack has dwindled and I am left alone in the twilight of a warm June night. The air is just a little cool, and smells green. The light is that golden light that only happens early in the morning and just before the sun goes down. Painter's light, but I don't know that yet. There are so many things I don't know yet. But, I do know how it feels to be eight years old and completely free. To feel like I'm riding a hundred miles an hour, the wind in my face, whipping my hair. To feel like I can do just about anything. I take my hands off the handlebars, and ride no -hands for just a second, practically dizzy with my daring and I let out a whoop of pure joy.
Now that I'm grown, I don't often get the chance to experience that unfettered elation that I felt so many last-days-of-school ago. But every once in a while, every once in a great while, and only in the evening, and only in the early summer, when the light is golden and the night smells green, I might see a kid on a bicycle and it will happen again. I'll suddenly remember out-of the blue, what it feels like to be eight years old on the last day of school. And in a instant I'll be perched on the daisy-strewn banana seat of a glittering turquoise bicycle with the wind in my face riding no-hands into the sunset of my memory, secure in the knowledge that tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my summer. The first day of the rest of my life.
And you know, it doesn't get much better than that.
Karen Driscoll copyright 2002
kmhbrdriscoll@hotmail.com
Karen is a wonderful writer from Connecticut whose stories "New Mom", "The Wave", "A Father's Lens", and "The Servant" are found in our archives! http://www.2theheart.com/archives
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2THEHEART BIRTHDAY CLUB!
My apologies! I have been neglectful and missed some birthdays! PLEASE send belated cards and notes to our June birthday people!
Jonathon Tun June 13 jwtun@tva.gov
Gloria Reyes June 12 gloria.reyes2@verizon.net
Theresa Shouse June 18 esmom8691@yahoo.com
Travis Beck June 17 tnjabeck@earthlink.net
Liz Black June 16 ewblack@email.msn.com
(A chemo angel and very special lady!)
Send lots of belated birthday wishes!
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The Letter Box:
Great story, Jon. Had a similar experience in my (stoopid years) youth, but mine was with ski's. Suffice to say,that now I don't do water, unless it has fours walls around it and a plug in the bottom of it....But you had me engrossed in your story...Thanx...I enjoyed it....
Sandy Smith
homergrl@yahoo.com
2theheart,
Wow! What a story from Jon Tun today--it was exciting and kept me reading right to the end, where a wonderful "lesson" appeared, a true reverence for the work of God. I learned something about surfing from the story too and have new respect for the multiple skills of those who participate in the sport. So glad that Jon survived the experience to write his wonderful stories for 2theHeart!
Best, Mary-Ellen
Mary-Ellen Grisham "meg"
Dear Jon,
I agree with Susan - your stories are always refreshing and I learn something with each one. I hope that you continue to write as you have much to share. (Great title too!)Thank you.
Sharon Bain
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