It was the first mow of winter -- an exciting day for every, child but not for most tether. Up until now, l had been able to dress myself for recess , but today I would need some help. Miss Finlayson, my kindergarten teacher at Princess Elizabeth School near Hamilton, Ontario, had been through first snow days ,tony times in her long career, but I think struggled still remember this one. I managed to get into my wool snow pants. But I straggled with my jacket because it didn't fit well. It was a hand-me-down from my brother, and it made me wonder why I had to wear his ugly clothes. At least my hat and matching scarf were mine, and they were quite pretty. Finally it was time to have Miss Finlayson help me with my boots. In her calm, motherly voice she said, "By the end of winter, you will be able to put on own boots. " I didn't realize at the time that this was more a statement of hope than of confidence. I handed her my boots and stuck out my foot. Like most children, I expected the adult to do an the work. After mush wiggling and pushing, she managed to get first one into place and then, with a sigh, worked the second one on too. I announced,"They're on the wrong feet."With the grace that only experience can bring,she struggled to get the boots off and went through the joyless task of putting them on again.Then I said,"These aren't my boots.you know."As she pulled the offending boots from my feet,she still managed to look both helpful and interested.Once they were off.I said,"They are my brother's boots.My mother makes me wear them,and I hate them!" Somehow,from long years of practice,she managed to act as though I wasn't an annoying little girl.She pushed and shoved.less gently this time,and the boots were returned to their proper place on my feet.With a great sigh of relief,seeing the end of her struggle with me,she asked,"Now,where are your gloves?'' I looked into her eyes and said."I didn't want to lose them.so I put them into the toes of my boots." What made it so hard for the teacher to help the little girl put her boots on?
The gloves in the toes of the boots. The slowness of the teacher. The wrong size of the boots. The unwillingness of the girl.