学进去

I still remembered my first day of second grade. I was led to a room. No teacher yet. Girls talking. Boys trying to kill each other.

I took some paper and a pencil, picked a desk, and went to work. Minutes later, a girl came over and sat on top of my desk.

“What're you doing?” she said.

“Writing to 100,” I replied.

“Is that you can do?”

“No,” I said.

Then I rose from my seat to get my pencil sharpener. I had no idea that when I stood, the desk would fall over and hurt her leg.

Her name was Jane. From that day on--she was my best friend. Wherever we went--to school or church or basketball games, Jane saved me a seat or I saved one for her.

Many years later, after college, I moved to California and married. Jane stayed in our hometown to be a social worker. We were friends for more than 50 years. After her death seven years ago, I still think of her often, especially at the start of the school year.

TV ads try to tell us what children need for school—new shoes, clothes, backpacks. But really, children's needs are simple. Besides the basics—to be fed, cared for, and loved—they need the gift of friendship.

For years, I feared how people saw me. But one day, I finally understood. I didn't need to be smart or pretty or popular. I just needed to be kind.

My grandson Henry recently finished his preschool and received a prize for “Friendship”. Even an Olympic medal wouldn't make me prouder! I think children need to know that they are loved. They need to know that they have all they need and the best way to win friends is to be one.