Kindergarden

I don't remember my Kindergarten teacher's name, but I do remember I had the morning class and another group of kids came in the afternoon.

I remember very little of then. Three things come to mind which are all pretty hazy. I remember needing to learn to count to 100, and thought it was incredibly clever to say 'One, two, skip a few, ninety nine, one hundred.' I also remember being confused as to how counting to 100 could be difficult for the other kids and trying to explain the pattern.

I also had a girl friend named Tara that I hope to reconnect with one day. I am nearly positive I saw tara while I was in middle school at a skating rink one time when she was with her family, and something that has haunted me since then, I was too shy to go talk to her. She had a large birthmark on her face, and though I don't remember saying it, my mother recalls a story where I told her about my girlfriend with 'rosy red cheeks.'

I also remember that there was going to be a New Year, and I was horrified and scared that the Universe was going to end and confused as to why everyone else seemed unconcerned.

Probably most vividly, I remember being dared or taunted to put my middle finger up at the teacher by some kids. I didn't know what it meant and was too naive to know I was being put on, so I did it. I was sent home with a note after the teacher didn't believe me I didn't know what it meant, and I don't think it was every really explained to me. I vaguely remember the realization many years later of what had happened.

My mother, whom I was in tears when I told her about the note, was not upset at all with me, which I remember being a huge relief.