A Brave Little Girl? No, Not Really Mrs. Calvi...

Granville Ave School Pic - Way back When!

Being in my hometown during the holiday’s means lots of last minute hustle and bustle like everywhere else on the planet, but especially on the main drag of town, where most of the stores and boutiques are.

Last night as I was just about to walk into the local grocery store, a woman in a red jacket was wheeling her cart out. We both uttered the obligatory “excuse me” and exchanged smiles. I was about to walk past her when all of a sudden the lady in red, who for the rest of this post will be referred to as LIR said: Oh my goodness, Kelly Kunik, HOW ARE YOU? I HAVENT SEEN YOU IN AGES!

The woman looked oddly familiar and I definitely recognized the face, but her hair was shorter than what I remembered. The years had been kind because she looked pretty much the same as when, when….when what?

Did I take tap dancing lessons with her daughter? No, that wasn’t it.

Did I go to school with her kids?? Nooo, I don’t think so.

Did…she work at my old elementary school as an office Aide?

Me: Oh, I’m great thanks. How are you?

LIR: Fine- how’s your mom doing? She moved a few years ago right?

Me: She’s doing great and yes; she’s still in town but on the other side of Jerome Ave, down the street from the church.

LIR: You haven’t changed a bit!

Me: Thanks! I can’t remember your name though Mrs…

LIR: Mrs. Calvi, (Stupid me, the name of her families company was stitched on the jacket!) I used to work at Granville Ave Elementary School when you were little. And of course I remember you, how could I forget! You used to have diabetes and would come to the nurses’ office for orange juice when you needed to.

Me: Yep, that’s me. I still have diabetes-it hasn’t gone anywhere last I checked. And I still reach for the juice whenever I need to. I’m surprised you recognized me, Granville Ave was a long time ago!

LIR: How are you doing with the diabetes?

Me: Great. No complaints, everything still works…for the most part.

LIR: You look exactly the same! You know, I always thought you were the bravest little girl, always having to take shots and having to go to the nurse when you had to. You’d march right in the office and say: I need juice RIGHT NOW PLEASE!

You’d drink up all your juice, wait a bit and then you’d say:“thanks and see ya later” and continue on with your day.

Me: WOW, you really do remember me! Thanks Mrs. Calvi. It was great to see you again-Happy Holidays!

LIR: You to! Tell your mom I said hi!

Me: WILL DO MRS. CALVI MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As I walked in the store all I could think was: A brave little girl? No, not really Mrs. Calvi, but thanks. More like a realistic little girl who was always afraid of the “diabetes what-ifs,” but didn’t want the rest of the world to know it, so she pretended to be fearless.