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the one mile cross-country, generating body heat from the exertion
as well as being able to take advantage of the shelter of the
trees and willows that grew along our path. And on particularly
miserable days, we stayed home and managed to put in some
quality playtime both in and outdoors. The parents would not fail
to mention to us that the weather seemed to be too miserable for
school but not for play! No doubt they understood, yet must have
felt that they had a duty to program our consciences. These diversions
from the regular school days were few and far between and
were welcomed as they helped to pass the winter.
Our major winter interlude was the annual Christmas concert
held at the school on a winter’s evening a week or so before
Christmas. We prepared for it throughout December with the
teachers picking out the plays, assigning parts to the students, arranging
rehearsals and containing the mischievous exuberance of
some of the older boys. No trouble with the young, as after all,
there just might be a Santa Claus, but the older boys were full of high
jinks and, unless their energies were properly channelled and challenged,
they saw this as a fun time and made the most of it. But it was
exciting and I usually was given good roles to play. As well, we all
took part in the carol singing. The last few days were hectic, with
final rehearsals and costume making and stage building and school
decorating. I loved that part as the school was transformed from its’
everyday “school” look to take on the magic of Christmas, with silver
and gold bells and crepe paper streamers and tinsel and a decorated
tree.
Libros Libertad 