Don’t you just love hearing your parents share memories of days gone by? I do! And I’m glad it’s the last Friday of the month so that our guest blogger, my mom, can share some fun memories—and important lessons—with all of us!

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“I’m old enough to go to school!” What an exciting time it was for a five-year-old girl to go to school with the big kids. They were smart and knew how to do so many things that I didn’t know how to do. Now I would learn those things too!

The one-room school I attended is the same one my dad attended as a young boy. Many of the things he remembered from his school days had not changed even by the time I got there. Probably one of the things most remembered by all who had attended there was that about one-third of the way from the door to the front of the room the wood floor was warped. As youngsters, we could hardly wait for a visitor to come speak to us, walk up the aisle, and trip over the hump in the floor.  We dared not laugh, but caught each others’ glances as we held back a giggle! It was not major enough that anyone ever fell, but there was always a hesitation as though a fall were impending!

Growing up in Wisconsin where there was no iodine in the water, the county superintendent would often come on Friday afternoon near the end of the school day to hand out an iodine tablet to every student. As many times as she went over that spot on the floor, it seemed she never failed to be on the verge of tripping. Of course, that made our day!

That warped floor isn’t the only memory of attending my one-room school. As a second grader, I remember listening to the older students recite their lessons, research important facts, and take oral or written tests. I also learned as I listened.

The classroom was heated in the winter by a large furnace in the corner of the room. It had a “jacket” around it, and on cold days we took turns as classes putting our feet on the jacket of the furnace to get cozy and warm.

Out in the yard was a hand pump. We took turns at recess or noon getting to pump the water so everyone could have a glass of fresh, cold water from the well.

Recess was an especially fun time of playing games of various kinds: tag, anti-over the schoolhouse, and hide and seek—with everyone coming up with new and unique places to hide.

Yes, I learned many lessons at my one-room school, but one stands out to this day. It was the lesson of kindness. I walked to school, as did everyone who attended. One day it turned quite cold and windy during the day, and an older girl gave me her head scarf to wear home, which meant she did not have one for herself. That act of caring taught me more than many days of book learning. She became someone I looked up to and admired.

How often do you and I take time to put ourselves into the shoes of another and fill the need that person may have—even if our own comfort is lessened? The Lord reminds us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2). Romans12:15 says,” Rejoice with those that do rejoice, and weep with those that weep.” Feeling, then meeting the needs of another person, when it is done to honor our Lord and Savior, speaks far louder than words.

Just like my memory of that cold windy day at the one-room schoolhouse, memories of those acts of kindness will continue teaching and blessing the recipient far longer than we may imagine.

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Thank you for taking time to read “My One-Room School.” I’d love for you to leave a note for Mom (Lorraine), and I’ll share them with her!