the christian preschool
After a brief stint in Pennsylvania, my dad decided he had enough of
seeing the Nittany Lions lose more than 4 games in one season, so we
packed our balls and moved to Fighting Illini country where my mom
would pursue her PhD. It was here that I first started pre-school at
an annex of a local Christian church called Kiddie Country.
Though I was never baptised, my parents paid the associated fees which
turned out to be good enough to begin my process of salvation. One of
the main things I saw for the first time was praying before every
meal. I never had to pray at home, because the food was always good,
but now after eating meals prepared by my white friends in college, I
can see why this is necessary. But, the school cafeteria here
actually made some good food. I don't recall anybody else from this
experience, but I can remember exactly what the head chef was like,
sort of grab-bag mix of a sense of humor with that of Carol Burnett
and the physical appearance of the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter.
Lunch time was perhaps my favorite activity, and after so many years,
it still is. But during lunch, I was required to say grace
before starting. I had no idea how to do this. When I got to school
I didn't receive an orientation program, so I missed out on some
crucial theological training. So I followed the guy next to me and
since I couldnt speak any real language I just mouthed the sounds.
Naturally, after much indoctrination, this became habit. I took it
home with me and when my family sat down for dinner I put my hands
together and said a short prayer to myself. In front of a bowl of
rice I put my hands together, closed my eyes and belted out "GAH SAH E
SAH GAH, GAH SAH E SAY GAE". My parents would look at each other and
then wonder what kind of occult school they had sent me to, as they
obviously did not know nor understand this magical incantation.
According to my mom, they dealt with this for over 2 months before
figuring it out. My dad originally thought that I was just trying to
imitate what I saw in the segment of Walt Disney's Fantasia, where the
Sorcerer's Apprentice animates the brooms to clean up for him.
Finally, on the day when my parents came to visit, I was getting ready
to eat some Taco Salad with the other kids, and it was revealed that,
while I said "GAH SAH E SAH GAH", everyone else said "God is so good,
God is so Great"
The pictures below show my sisters table. My dad couldnt find one
with me in it. But the second picture is my sister wearing the penn
st. sweatshirt with yours truly sitting in time-out for violating some
house rules. My guess is that I started eating before prayer was
finished. I broke this rule a lot.
My dad is not sure if that is really me, but he says the sneakers are
familiar, and the way I am sitting in dejection is all too familiar to
him as well.
Comments [1]