We all pile in the car after dance class. Before everyone’s buckles are on Rose announces, “Mom, our class has a real problem.”
My brain went straight to lice.
“My teacher has these stuffed animals…” she continued.
And now they’re infected with lice?!?
“She usually brings Ginger her gingerbread man home over the weekend. But she forgot…AND NOW SHE’S MISSING!”
I felt myself relax. “Oh! That is a real problem,” I said smiling over at Wren in the passenger seat.
“First they saw her in the library and then by the front of the school…and then Ms. Walsh’s mailbox was full of mail. People are writing to tell us where the Gingerbread is,” she explained her voice full of emotion as she shared the dilemma.
“Mrs. Walsh was even crying. She loves her so much…”
I looked back to Wren and asked, “like real tears?!?”
“Yes!” Rose said. “Then everyone started to cry.”
I cringed, imagining the scene.
When we got home from school, Rose worked to unpack her backpack. She pulled a heap of papers from her folder and piled them on the counter. She carried one over to the fridge. I watched her from the corner of my eye as she hung the paper on the fridge and said, “If you ever come back, I will give you a hug.”
Oh the joys of first grade!
Where There Is Joy 
This post is all kinds of wonderful! I love Rose’s 100% buy-in, the subtly exchanged glances with Wren, and the way you layered in your thoughts. Lice, lice and more lice! lol This was a fantastic read!
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The magic!
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I love your internal monologue vs the “reality”. Ah the fun in grade 1!
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This is such a well-crafted slice. The combination of your inner thinking about lice (I was thinking the same thing!!) and the sideways smile to your older daughter. Then your real concern for this lost man. I hope you turn this into a series. This reader wants Rose to share more about this 1st grade drama!!!
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It’s hysterical, and real, that your mind went to something real, dramatic – lice! While Rose, in all her innocence, has the missing gingerbread as a bigger problem than lice. Kudos to her teacher for adding embracing the wonder of first graders! They’re only young once and she gets that!! Do keep us posted on the whereabouts of said gingerbread!
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These slices today are full of such joy and humor that I’m finding therapy this morning in all the sprinkling of heartwarmth. It’s funny how your mind went straight to lice. Mine would have too…..I remember the days of full-school pickups where the kids who had to be retrieved were all seated six feet apart down the hallways waiting on parents. An outbreak IS where my mind goes with a full class problem. I’m glad yours was gingerbread.
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What a great example of a true small moment, captured. I agree that your piece is so well crafted. And that last bit of overheard dialogue is the perfect ending to such a sweet piece.
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If only all our problems were that of first graders and missing stuffed animals
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I’m laughing as I read the comments stating my own thoughts while reading your story when your first thoughts go from lice to your daughter’s enthusiastic innocence with the missing Gingerbread. And I agree, ‘more first grader stories’ please! 🙂
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