“People seem to have that one special item from their childhood that brings them comfort when they reminisce. Some people cherish their blanket, or a stuffed animal. For me, this little gray and white pebble does not exactly bring physical comfort, but memories.”
Ashley acquired the pebble on display when she was four years old.
My mom worked, so I attended preschool for six hours a day. We had plenty of activities to keep us busy. There was coloring, crafts, snacks, and of course free play time. When I arrived early in the morning I would get to play on the jungle gym. I ruled as Queen of the playground. I can still smell the strong scent of iron that was always left on my hands after an hour of playing.
Each day blended into the next. Until one day ...
I recall this day like it was yesterday. After I ate my spaghetti with tasteless meatballs and hot cinnamon apples sprinkled with brown sugar, I went out on the playground. I knew that I would not be in the mood for a nap when the time came. This meant I would need something to keep me entertained while everyone else slept. I started to collect a few pebbles.
At first Ashley did not really know what she was going to do with the pebbles, but then she got an idea.
When we were all down for our naps and Miss Deanna made her ‘tuck-in’ rounds, I knew it was time. I laid there, on the red mat, with my soft, velvety Winnie the Pooh blanket up to my neck. I reached in my pocket and pulled out the pebbles. I chose the most round and attractive one and, slowly, I stuck it up my nose.
While it didn’t hurt her, Ashley started to panic. What if it didn’t come out?
I pushed the outer part of my nose where the rock was located on the inside, and it just fell out. I was greatly relieved.
The second time she pushed the rock into her nose, she wasn’t as lucky.
I picked up the rock and stuck it up there one more time. This time it went too far. I remember the strong smell of dirt from the rock, and how this rounded rock all of a sudden felt rough and jagged. I tried to get it out, but it did not come.
Ashley’s teacher rushed over to see what was wrong. When she realized what had happened, Ashley was sent to the nurse’s office, and then home.
As my mother arrived, she rushed through the door, ran over to me sitting on the blue cot in the nurse’s office, and frantically asked me what I was thinking. My answer was unsure, because what was I thinking?
They took a trip to the doctor’s office, where a doctor swiftly removed the pebble with a pair of tweezers. As she left, Ashley was handed the pebble in a little bag, where she has kept it ever since.
To this day I have kept the pebble because it is a simple reminder of the love and care that my mom had, and continues to have for me. My mother was not furious — she just took action to better the situation. As a single mom who had many stressors in her life, this could have been an added one. She had to leave work early, and this meant money. But she did not show signs that she was stressed. She was just concerned for my health and safety.