My parents being poor sent us to public school. In grade one, our classroom was about three blocks from the main school building. It was an unused house in a compound of six houses where the owner had a car repair business. Our schoolroom was the smallest house. My mother’s older brother, Uncle Erto, and his family lived in one of the houses on the opposite side of the compound. Uncle Erto would always give me money. Sometimes when I really wanted to buy a treat, I wouldn’t wait for him to give me my usual nickel – I would discreetly hold out my palm towards him. Because of this, my parents decided they didn’t need to give me an allowance (nickel in those days!).
One morning, Mrs. Cornejo, our teacher, announced that the school photographer was coming to take our class photo. I was upset because I didn’t get to wear anything nice so I was relegated to the second row, standing up and I also wanted to sit in the front row. I could’ve worn my pretty Christmas dress and my new used pair of shoes and socks. After recess, teacher gathered us all and assigned a place for each of us. As the photographer got ready, the men working on trucks and cars cajoled us into smiling. After a third shot, the photographer asked Mrs. Cornejo if she could ask me to smile. Mrs. Cornejo threatened me that I will clean the whole classroom if I didn’t smile. This made me more upset.
Just then, I looked up and saw my uncle’s wife watching us from their window. She shouted for me to smile. I tried. But the photographer still wasn’t happy, he wanted me to smile some more. It was then that Uncle Erto showed up behind his wife. From their body language I could discern they were talking about me. Suddenly, my uncle called my name across the compound. I looked up and I saw him holding out a one-peso bill then yelled “smile!” I did. The photographer got his picture, even though I wasn’t looking at the camera, I didn’t get to be cleaner/monitor that day, and Uncle Erto gave me a whole peso. His wife also gave me lunch and Uncle drove me home in his jeepney!
I decided which was you before I saw the blue cross that @cheribug noticed! It just looks like you! Love the story - I wish I could remember something from that age!
love the story; I must say that some of the other kids look pretty grim. Guess that clasroom must have gotten clean that day! And why should one smile for a stranger? An uncle seems better.
Like Maggiemae, I found you before reading Cheryl's comment.
:)
This could have been my story too. I also remember having a class picture taken, and was wearing clothes that had tears and, being hand-me-downs, did not fit well. The difference was I was put in the front row, and was wishing to hide further back. I still have the picture, and can recall the day clearly. Funny how some things stay with us!
BTW - your smile is beautiful, and you look very happy!
The one on the end of the second row with the lovely big smile, and not looking at the camera! A lot of the others aren't smiling much, I think they all wanted a peso too!
:)
This could have been my story too. I also remember having a class picture taken, and was wearing clothes that had tears and, being hand-me-downs, did not fit well. The difference was I was put in the front row, and was wishing to hide further back. I still have the picture, and can recall the day clearly. Funny how some things stay with us!
BTW - your smile is beautiful, and you look very happy!
you look sideways on in your 365 photo. But perhaps im wrong