The first time I knew babylon was not for me was at the tender age of six. I can remember it like it happened yesterday.As a child growing up in the sixties my freedom to explore my feelings and surroundings were the condition of the day. Unlike today when children seem to never even want to leave their homes,as a child I could not wait to go outside and play to my hearts content.Exploring the woods and streams where I grew up was such a joy to me that I never wanted it to end. Ahh,that feeling of exploring Gods world was a most pleasant one,even to this day I truly love the outdoors and all that nature provides,oh thank you Father for all the joy you have brought to me,to be able to appreciate my natural surroundings is such a pleasure.
The matter of my religious upbringing in the Catholic faith was a tradition in my mothers family,and so, all had to abide by it. Going to church every Sunday was the norm,with me fighting my mother the whole time. She would be yelling at us kids, get dressed for church, NOW,or else. So off to church we would go, me not enjoying the moment very much,not this place again,man I could be playing with my friends right now
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Now,when the time came to start the first grade,well,wouldn't you know, yes, oh no, not Catholic school.Was this to be like going to church on Sundays,but only five times per week instead of one
,yikes this ain't gonna work for me.My mom was a good mother, but, come on mom,not this, please!!! So off to Catholic school I went.
That morning arrived,albeit not something I was looking forward to,but play time was over,its school for you, so get moving Marky,you will love it,the words still echoing in my ears as I boarded the bus. Hey
, I'm thinking on the way to my first day of school,I bet they let kids play at school too.What the heck,it cant be all bad.
Pulling up in front of the school was like having my teeth pulled. I thought to myself while getting off the bus,I don't think this is going to work out to my advantage, so, while we exited the bus for the buildings I kinda took a louie and proceded away from the school and up the road and through the woods to our local shopping plaza,to spend my milk money on a bag of popcorn at the local dime store.Walking about the store grounds with popcorn in hand and not a care in the world "life is good",
or is it.
If you haven't guessed yet the "or is it" part was indeed my mother and the neighbor lady coming up on me like a swarm of angry hornets, "busted"
.Well, saying to myself,I guess the party's over,"back to school with you young man" , in the car, and off we went.As we pulled in front of the school in the neighbors car guess who was waiting at the entrance to the building, yup, my first grade teacher, a nun, in full habit
. My mom was ever so gracious and apologetic to the sister,the sister responding to mom,"dont worry,I will take care of Marky,you can leave now
".
Famous last words,as she grabs me by the scruff of my neck, pushing me into the school.Now this is one hour latter after getting off of the bus and not wanting to be where I was heading,a confined classroom.At this point sister ***** is one hot tamale,with vengeance in her eyes,spitting fire out her mouth."so you don't like my school,huh".I knew things weren't good at that point as she paraded me into her class by my hair, kicking and yelling at me in front of the rest of the class,"here's Marky class, who was a bad boy" as she
threw me across the room and
over a desk and onto the floor screaming the whole time "go to the desk at the back of the room and don't move,or else,wham, bam, to the moon Alice".
I think, at that point, I knew, me and babylon, were going, to be going,
toe to toe ,
for a very long time ...
Come out of her indeed
...
Peace All...Mark