Remembering the Time

25 years ago, a four(4)-year-old girl and her father walked into a local barbeque joint in Oklahoma City while the mother and sleeping baby sister waited patiently in the car. At first glance, one might have thought the pair to appear seemingly out of place. While the two stood in line to place their order, the little girl quietly considered her surroundings. After several minutes of curious observation, a wave of enlightenment swept over her. Without a moment's hesitation, the girl shared her new found wisdom by enthusiastically gasping,

"DADDY, THIS IS A MICHAEL JACKSON STORE!!!"

As the bit of color drained from my father's face, the entire restaurant erupted into laughter. Thankfully, the gentlemen found a young, caucasian girl's naive interpretation of an entirely African American employed and patronized venue to be quite humorous, as well as forgiving.

One year later, the same little girl and her mother [again] waited in line. They arrived at the neighborhood elementary with plans to enroll the, then five-year-old, girl in kindergarten for the upcoming academic year. Upon approaching the enrollment table, the counselor addressed the two with her well versed spiel, "We have two(2) kindergarten teachers: Ms. Moore and Ms. Jackson. Please indicate on the form whether or not you have a preference."

As the mother preceded to go over the informational packet, expressing any questions or concerns, the girl's imagination began to soar "Is it possible? How fun it would be!" Despite the ongoing conversation between the two adults, the 5-year-old's psyche could no longer stand it and, therefore, she had to voice her internal inquiry before any permanent decisions were made. The girl sheepishly tugged at her mother's hand as to signal a lowering of the head and whispered,

"Mommy, will there be dancing in Ms. Jackson's class?"

Ten years later, the girl was an [awkwardly] skinny sophomore with braces and bad hair dye. Fortunately, she had enough coordination and rhythm to make the high school pom squad. The squad leaders decided to create a Thriller performance for the aforementioned year's Halloween pep assembly, including a cameo appearance by the student body president's iconic impersonation of Michael Jackson; red leather jacket, silver glove and all... Last July, I was quoted as to recalling this particular experience as my all-time favorite high school memory at our class' ten(10) year reunion.