~ when i was in kindergarten, 20 years ago, it was always a big deal when someone didn’t show up for class. since we would do anything we could to convince our parents and teachers that we should be excused from school that day. so, one morning in kindergarten, we all noticed that a particular classmate did not show up; we spent the morning gossiping about what she could be doing, but by the time the afternoon buses came to take us home, we forgot all about her. when she didn’t show the next morning, though, we all knew that something was up. seeing this, both of our classes were called together by the teachers and told what had befallen her to cause her absences.
   she had been late for the school bus one morning, and was running down the street to catch it. she apparently slipped or fell in her haste, and soiled her dress in the georgia mud. knowing how vicious kindergarteners can be, she quickly decided not show show up in dirty clothes which could bring an afternoon of taunts. so, she turned and ran back towards her house to change. as she ran around the bus, however, she was unseen by the driver of an oncoming car, who was then unable to prevent his car from hitting her.
   so, she was killed before reaching her 6th birthday, which also happened to be my 6th birthday.
   so, maybe i shouldn’t spend that birthday today by grousing over the mechanic who claims my car can’t be repaired, or my rent which is higher than the amount in my credit union account and was due yesterday, or the neighbor who is apparently spending the summer learning creed songs on his new electric guitar, or what a mistake it was paying for ‘mission:impossible-2’, or a freaking 56k connection, or a serious lack of serious work to do.

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