Erin, Mary, and John
When the school year started, Mary was 4.5 years old and ready to enroll in Junior Infants/pre kindergarten at New Inn School, Glanmire, Co. Cork. One of the greatest ideas of all time is school uniforms. Pants, skirt, and vest were polyester which meant they could be washed each night, worn the next day, and then repeated. Wore like iron, they were awesome.
We went shopping at Dunnes Store where everyone shopped thirty years ago and scouted for grey with blue shirts. Mary ran off sprite-like and soon was found.
One thing about Mary was/is that she has a piercing and loud voice. Anywhere she went, we could find her easily. On this day, Mary was standing by the tri-mirror next to the changing rooms and was singing with all the gusto and joy that a four year old has.
She had ripped into a Celine Dion song "I am your lady" with chorus lyrics, as interpreted by a four-year old:
'Cause I am your lady/You are my man/ Whenever your reach for me/I'll do all that I can.
I do not believe that most Irish people had ever heard their children singing that song or singing with such passion. Dunnes was silent as Mary moved to the last lines (again as translated by a four-year old: frightened became fighting:
We're heading for something/Somewhere I've never been/Some times I am frightened/But I'm ready to learn.
We're heading for something/Somewhere I've never been/Some times I am frightened/But I'm ready to learn.
YouTube is amazing.
We drove home with school uniforms and with Mary still singing. I just smiled. The power of love.
Note: Older daughter had a cassette tape of top music from mid-1980s. Mary sang along with her sister. In the car, Mary started singing "Like a Virgin" by Madonna. Sigh.
Note: Older daughter had a cassette tape of top music from mid-1980s. Mary sang along with her sister. In the car, Mary started singing "Like a Virgin" by Madonna. Sigh.
lol funny what they sing and have no idea what it means.
ReplyDeleteIt is understandable when it is a four-year old, when it is a pre-teen who has no idea of they are singing and yet still sing.
DeleteHi Susan - wonderful memories of childhood - delightful - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThose are good memoreis! We have so many that we need to tell them about before we grow too old.
DeleteToo funny. Kids will be kids. That second song would've made me cringe.
ReplyDeleteErin (10 yr. old) sang and DANCED it outside front of the house. Fortunately we were surrounded by 20 acres of wooded land.
DeleteThat must have caused a pause in the battles among Dunnes' customers. What I remember is how women would fight over the bargains there! And yes! No brainer on school uniforms. Ours were made of navy serge with a removable white collar for winter, sky blue cotton for summer. How we rejoiced on the first day of summer uniforms! And still we did not look the same. The girls with fashion savvy always tweaked their uniforms so they looked stylish. Of course, if the tweak was too obvious, they were sent home so their mother could fix it.
ReplyDeleteHa! I can see it! Didn't see any riots there, yet.
DeletePrecious memories.
ReplyDeleteSchool uniforms were uncomfortable things too often. Practical perhaps, but uncomfortable.
But they were awesome for us moms. And there was always an exchange among parents at the end of the year.
DeleteI can just see her, singing with such joy!
ReplyDeleteShe still has that joy.
DeleteProbably a good thing they saved "Like a Virgin" for the car ;)
ReplyDeleteI felt great relief when we got home. She moved onto Cyndy Lauper "I just wanta have fu-n".
DeleteMake that "girls just wanta have fu-n".
DeleteDear Susan, several years ago, I became fast friends with a three-year-old. I've had the privilege of watching her grow--she's seven and a half now. And I've been surprised and amused also at how she has been like a sponge when it comes to music. Like your daughter, she sings loud and with great gusto. Both of them I think are pure delights. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThat age is amazing! I always called those years 3-8 the golden years.
DeleteKids are grand! A friend's son crawled the entire length on the church, under the pews, singing "Miller's Hi-Life, the campaign of bottled beer."
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice of song! Bold boy.
DeleteNot shy at all was she? I loved reading this :)
ReplyDeleteNot then and not now. Glad you enjoyed this memory!
DeleteWhen a child sings their hearts out, parents should be proud. That is one happy kid and that is what we want more than anything.
ReplyDeleteOh, I was tickled and pleased. No one giggled in the store, but maybe now, 30 yrs. later, they might.
DeleteIt's just the joy of rhythm and singing...doesn't matter what it is.
ReplyDeleteWatching and listening to children singing brightens up life.
DeleteMy girls used to love to sing and now their daughters do the singing as well. One day we might have a choir.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Here's hoping you'll be part of that choir!
DeleteAren't memories so special.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these ...
All the best Jan
This one is only one of many. Just have to write them down.
DeleteHa, I can see the store scene in my mind. And yes, school uniforms rock! Enjoy your visit. :)
ReplyDeleteJust imagine how much easier uniforms would be for schools and parents!
DeleteWe have had a marvelous visit, and I miss them terribly. Still have Cheerios in my cabinet. And on the floor.
Thank for your very good article! i always enjoy & read the post you are sharing!
ReplyDeleteหนังà¸à¸à¸™à¹„ลน์