Wait Until Next Year!

 

It was to be a special day. I was going to Rice Elementary School to register for first grade. There was no kindergarten during those days. Although I was only five years old at the time, my mother believed that I would get to start to school because I would turn six on September 18, just a few days after school officially started right after Labor Day. I was so excited and could not wait. 

My Aunt Opal went to school with Mom and me on that special day. We filled out all of the papers and met with the principal, Mr. Hanson. He was kind and told us that everything was ok, but if the first grade numbers came in as projected, I would not be able to start this year since I was still five. He explained that the class was already large and my enrollment would exceed the guidelines. Boy, what a disappointment! In a few days it was confirmed that I would not be able to attend school that year. Aunt Opal came to my rescue and told me that I could stay with her since my mother was working full-time. She was like my second mother and we had a wonderful year together.  

I have often reflected on that moment of disappointment. What if I had started to school when I was five. Would my life have turned out the same? Would I have had success in athletics since I would have graduated high school when I was seventeen years old? What about college?  Would I have received an athletic scholarship?  Would I have met Rosalind, my wife? I would not realize the magnitude of that decision until later in life.

Providence is defined as the protective care of God or timely preparation for future eventualities. Wow, was that ever true in my life as I was forced to delay first grade for a year.  Looking back at that time, I am convinced that God, though aware of my desire to begin, was answering my needs by having me to wait.