Grade school memories are strong, especially whenever I’d have to go from summertime into a whole new school year. I’d approach with anxious anticipation, there were so many unknowns. There are certain smells and foods that can, even after so many years, bring me right back into my grade school classroom.
Ripe bananas are an instant memory trigger. Combine that in a brown paper lunch bag with a wrapped up peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a hoho and wham! I’m eleven years old again, sitting at a school desk and it’s still warm and sunny outside. Just yesterday it was still summer. Transitions are tough, uncertain times. I would cling to the safe familiarity of that school lunch, knowing it would remind me of home. (Even though I never ate this lunch at home). A few years ago I rediscovered a love for rice crispy treats, homemade, not the pre made kind.
For some reason, all of a sudden they became a favorite comfort food, I’d turn to them like a dear friend when I was stressed. I thought maybe it was just the chewy texture and the not so super filling or over powering sweetness. But then, I had a flash back memory. Back into grade school, this time even younger, first grade.
I had forgotten to bring my lunch, my safety blanket with me to school on one of those still warm days. I was new to the school thing and it was scary! Once I realized I didn’t have my little bit from home, I froze in terror. Full of fear and tears I approached my teacher, Sister Mary Suzette, told her what I had done. Shaking in my shoes, she asked me to follow her. All the way to the convent, so unknown, I walked in behind her and stood in the foyer as she disappeared down a hall. That few minutes of waiting seemed like years, I just wanted to run home and hide, pretending this was a bad dream. Suddenly another Sister came out with a smile, so kind and sweet and handed me the most carefully prepared lunch I had ever seen.
A sandwich, a banana, and a homemade rice crispy treat.
I had been saved! Tell me your school food memory, good or not?
