Nice "Bounce" Sheet

I was one who became overwhelmed with shopping for clothing. As a result, I have become the gracious recipient of "hand me downs." Between my generous sister and mother, I have been well clothed. It was the summer of 1998 and I was boarding a plane to spend a few weeks with my parents while they were serving as Mission President and Mission Mother of the Belgium, Brussels Mission. If all went as planned, my fiance would meet me at the mission home. Our hopes were to marry in Sweden.

Mom had had a tourresseau tea for Michelle, but there would be no time for that. The items for my honeymoon came from the goodness of their hearts. I wore my Mother's beautiful wedding dress, Michelle loaned me a pale blue suit to wear at the Wedding Luncheon, some earrings, and so forth. Mother also gave me a black and white floral print broomstick skirt. Broomstick skirts were the rage. I hope I can do justice in my simple description--the skirts ranged from mid-calf to above the ankle in length. It appeared to have 3 teirs sown together and then the pleats were crinkled and wrinkled. In fact, one didn't hang this skirt in their closet, it was simply twisted and then shoved in one of the legs of a pair of panty hose.

I felt chic honeymooning in Paris in my new array of apparel. The inherited garb also brought me  stylin' in the upcoming school year with sixth grade students. I noticed when I would wear the ankle length broomstick skirt, I had to be extremely careful when climbing the stairs into Oakridge Elementary. The length of the skirt became a safety hazard. It was easy to step on and I would either pull the skirt down, or fall on my face. My arms were full with lesson plans and homework to be corrected, hence my hands were not free to hold my skirt up nor break my fall should I trip. For the most part, I had learned to be cautious.

It was a  cold, winter day. It was also my day for recess duty...which means--no breaks. The University of Utah Students were coming to celebrate a successfully completed drama experience. I desired to make this a special event for the students and so I dressed accordingly. (I took warmth into consideration as well.) I pulled out the black and white broomstick skirt from my boudoir. I matched it with a mock turtleneck and then tied an additional sweater around my waist. This would also help to keep my skirt from being stepped on.

Underneath, I donned a pair of long garments, a pair of black knee socks, and boots that came just above my ankle. I couldn't help but laugh at the reflection in the mirror. What tackiness and fashion faux pas a long skirt could hide.

I stayed warm during recess and had just entered the building. The University Students had arrived for the celebration. I took one of the students aside and asked if she would watch my students so I could take a needed break to the Lady's Room. Kindly, she concurred.

I had a pretty good rapport with the students in the school and liked to be silly with them at times. I exited the Lady's Room the same time as Robby, a boy from the other classroom. He was a step or two behind. We were the only two people in the whole hallway and he didnt' even say a word to me. That just wasn't like him. I approached him and made some frivilous remark. He responded in a very nervous tone and his gaze was fixated straight ahead. He continued on into Mr. Mattson's classroom, and I to mine--thinking, "gee, I wonder what's up with Robby?"

I made a grand entrance into class feeling relieved and refreshed when all of the sudden Moses blurts out, "Nice static cling Mrs. G.!!! What . . . did you forget your bounce sheet?"

I had no clue as to what he was talking about, but sensitive Maddie started crying and said, "It's alright Mrs. G.," and pulled my skirt down from underneath my sweater. The poor girl was utterly embarrassed for me and as I started to recall how I must have looked from the back end--long garments tucked inside black knee socks and all, I too was feeling the outcome of utter embarassment.

Before Maddie, finished her thoughts, I was out the door and across the hall to Mr. Mattson's room. "Robby, you get over here right now!" without even asking Mr. Mattson if it was alright that I speak with him. Now I knew why Robby appeared so nervous only moments ago. "Robby, how dare you let me walk into my classroom and not say a thing!!!!" Before I finished my sentence, he said, "I promise Mrs. G., I didn't see a thing!" Mr. Mattson glanced outward and I realized, I was interrupting. I returned to class--cool, calm and collected as if nothing had happened. Those kind of things just seem to follow me.

A month or so later, I decided to brave the broomstick skirt again. My class was in the library at the time. One of my students was late and in tears because of an argument she had had with her brother. She sat down on the floor next to where I was sitting. Quietly, she shared the exchange between her and her brother. I wanted to comfort her. She put her head on my knee. As I was offering soothing words, my eyes wandered to my skirt. Something didn't seem right. It looked a bit different, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. I didn't remember the teirs looking that particular way, and then like a brick, it hit me. I was wearing this skirt inside out. Tag on the back, draw string, dangling at my waist--the discovery broke the young girls tears, but I had to slither out and make things right before Moses had a chance to blurt anything out.

At the end of the school year, students and parents expressed appreciation for their teacher in a variety of ways. One way was a decorated poster that was out in the hallway for people to sign and read. This was usually a "feel good moment" for the teachers and so, being anxious to see what the students would remember and glean from me, I stepped out into the hall to read. There in big, bold letters, "Nice bounce sheet Mrs. G., from Moses." Teachers at Oakridge left a Legacy. Some were "Teacher of the Year," "The Best Math Teacher," "The Teacher that produced the highest test scores..." What would my legacy be? Over the microphone (and following some rather stellar tributes,) the PTA representative  announced "She tells funny stories and she wore her skirts tucked up and her underwear hanging out." Yea for me!