Imagine this! The Christmas season is upon us. Thanksgiving first.
As we clear mounds of mom and dad’s stuff, we come across mounds of our own stuff. The treasure finds have me giving thanks for being born in 1957.
The last six decades rooted me in a time when letters and cards were hand-written. Every time I uncover one, the memories surface. A smile and a few tears come. There were notes from Eric's classmates, cards from colleagues and letters from college roommates.
There are cards and pictures from families of infants and toddlers at Park Terrace in Oregon State, an early childhood center I had the pleasure of leading. Gosh, the learning at all levels was spectacular. I absolutely treasure those years.
There were cards and signs from my literature students at the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, who I had the honor of teaching and learning with. We grew in so many ways. Today, when I run into them, we hug and remember those classroom lightbulbs.
We remember how frightened we were to speak in front of a class. We remember our journal writing. We remember becoming sensitive to the world of disabilities. We remember enjoying puzzles. We remember the reading and writing and test-taking. We remember coping with what all adolescent girls faced. We remember succeeding. Such awesome memories.
The way of the world has changed in a variety of ways. I remember using the Dewey Decimal system for research. That card system seems obsolete today. The painstaking time it took to find documents made finding the articles gratifying. Today, it is easier to Google what you need. I suppose the time saved is what is gratifying now.
I remember the early computerized card system, where discs were used. At the beginning, learning had its potholes. I had to input my dissertation data three times – survey responses from Idaho, Montana, Oregon – because the main system kept losing it. But,when it finally worked, it worked.
And yes, today I am grateful for the advances in technology and how technicians are able to solve the glitches, particularly for Eric and his world on the internet.
I remember the smell of freshly printed newspapers. We are grateful to the Pacific Island Times and The Guam Post for continuing their work through hard copy.
There is everything wonderful about seeing people reading the newspaper while enjoying a cup of coffee.
There are some things that have not changed in Guam. Like the lack of reliable mass transit. If we could get reliable and efficient public transport, we would have less traffic. And I’m talking about transportation for all people. During Families First! term in the Guam legislature, we included students taking the GRTA to and from club meetings and sports activities after school. Unfortunately, that vision didn’t take hold.
The realization of high-quality early childhood education for all youngsters remains a pipedream. When folks say it’s too expensive, I remind them that we pay early, or we pay later. Today, Guam pays later with high drug usage, a high suicide rate, increased diabetes and heart problems, workforce shortages and high abuse rates.
Guam wants to improve? Improve the beginning years for every child and every parent.
Many remember Pan American as our flagship. We flew for 13 hours to Hawaii with a stop in Wake Island. We regret the shoe bomber episode that ignited clearance checks with shoes placed in bins. Ugh! We are grateful, though, for air transportation progress and the varied airlines doing business here.
We remember phone lines and party lines. Now, wireless trumps.
As Thanksgiving is upon us, many give thanks for having lived in a time when people interacted face-to-face. There were no rules about technology at the dinner table.
We give thanks for having lived in a time when brick-and-mortar was the way of learning. While online learning provides greater opportunities for folks, it is just not the same. Being physically present teaches countless objectives not captured virtually.
What really counts is people with people. Wishing you a healthy, happy Thanksgiving. Hoping you make loving memories with family and friends. For time, trust, laughter, song, food, drinks, we give thanks. Cheers!
Aline Yamashita is a mom, a teacher and former senator. She served in the 31st and 32nd Guam Legislatures. Send feedback to aline4families@gmail.com.
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