1986

When I was in the 6th grade, we moved. It wasn't a very far move, as we still lived in the same county, even, but I still had to change schools. I was really mad at my parents over this move. In addition to changing schools, I changed Girl Scout troops, and I joined the one at the new school.

This new troop was really different from my old troop. They met right after school (my old troop met in the evenings). It was only 6th graders in the troop. My old troop was for anyone who fit the grade requirement, so 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. And most importantly, everyone was assigned one day during the year to read a poem out loud to the group, and a different day to bring a snack.

On my poem day, I completely forgot to bring a poem. I realized it right around lunch time, and I rushed to the school library, where I checked out a book of A.A. Milne poems that we also had at home, and I read a poem about Christopher Robin going to Buckingham Palace with Alice. At the meeting that day, the leaders praised me for being so prepared and choosing a good poem. (most girls forgot the poem on their day). I was really embarrassed. I wasn't prepared! I didn't chose the poem, it was just the only one I remembered from the book as being OK! Of course, I didn't say that, I just kind of blushed and sat back down.

Today on the bus, that poem showed up in the book I am reading, and it made me feel embarrassed all over again.

and yeah, I forgot the snack on my snack day, too.