Passing 3rd grade

It was the end of third grade and I was about to finish my first year at my new school. All that was left were some standardized state tests. The teacher told the class not to worry about the tests; that we had already been preparing for them every day with the daily exercises and quizzes, and that we would certainly pass third grade.

Pass... PASS the third grade? Was failing an option?

Failure was not an option for me. I had already spent extra time after school learning how to write in cursive for the test!

The teacher recommended bringing lemon drop candy for test day because it could help you concentrate, and therefore, (at least my third grade logic took me here) pass third grade. Aha. I needed lemon drops ASAP.

After explaining to my mom that lemon drops were going to help me pass third grade, and that I needed lemon DROPS, not lemon HEADS, we scurried off to the store.

On test day I was armed with what looked like pounds of lemon drops and a couple of freshly sharpened pencils.

You'll be relieved to know, I passed the third grade.

Recent life events have caused me to feel a lot like being nervous about passing third grade - scared that I won't make it through, but knowing that I have to. I have found "lemon drops" in family, colleagues, and friends. Thank you - from the bottom of my heart - for being there, for listening to me, for talking with me, for loving me, for carrying me through this difficult time and reminding me that I've got this.

with love,
KB