Notes to pass, receive, and send,
extra supplies packed to lend.
Laughter with my closest friends,
rules where made for us to bend.
Felt so shy, tried not to cry,
everyday at roll call time.
Hot red face, breath stuck in place,
prayed they could pronounce my name.
Teacher made it understood,
so class would flow smooth and “good”,
we could shorten and erase,
Graciela will now be Grace.
Prayed my lisp would someday leave,
so clear speech could be achieved.
raised my hand, hoped she picked me.
but teacher would never see.
So peaceful, lunch time begins.
recess comes as the bell rings,
happily laugh, play, and sing,
wonder what next class will bring.
Last announcements, turn the key,
count the minutes till its three,
run so fast, finally free,
without thoughts of what will be.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Oh sweet Grace, Graciela. I wish I’d have been there. I would never have laughed. Kids can be harsh but it’s truly just awkward growing up. Thanks for sharing this as we have all got through it and it’s good for everyone to know just how rock solid life can be even with a shaky start.
Love your poem.. can you tell.. hahaahha..💗 Sending little Graciela and “big” Grace a hug and love! 💞
Awww. So sweet of you, my friend. Thank you so much for all of your love and support.💕
It’s very true and you’re so welcome! ❣️
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I love the way you write. I do. This poem was beautiful.
Thank you so much, Nicole. Truly appreciate you, my friend.💕
Sometimes school days were tough like how you recalled this 💕
Yes, absolutely. Like a roller coaster, some good so bad.💕
I loved this!!
Thanks so much.💕🙏💕
Aww Grace, I absolutely love this powerful piece. The vulnerable touches and emotion flowing throughout is a true treat to read. Thank you for sharing this part of your journey, dear friend. You have grown into a beautiful version of Grace 🤍🤗
So kind of you, my friend. Thank you so very much. Truly appreciate you, dear Grace.💕
What?! Are they allowed to do that? Just change your name without asking you? Oof.
Back in the 80s things were different and I was a timid child so confrontations were a no no.💕
Understood. I have memories like that too. Stuff I replay over and over in my head, wishing I’d done or said something different.
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Thank you Grace (Graciela) for sharing your school days’ joys and yearnings. You are awesome as a poet. You are so in touch with human emotions, they flow like rivers from your writing.
This is so wonderful to read, Suzette. Thank you so much. Truly made my day, dear friend.💕
My pleasure Grace.
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And now that shy little schoolgirl is a wonderfully talented, wise and compassionate poet spreading love across the world through her brilliant verse… Your flower bloomed beautifully, Grace. (And Graciela is such a cool name!) 🙂
You are so kind, my friend. Thank you so much. Truly appreciate you, dear Mike. You’re amazing.💕🙏💕
Opened up memories and shared experiences. A word picture beautifully painted. Thanks.
Glad to hear that. Thank you so much. Means a lot to me.💕
Loved it ! How genius to write about a time we can all connect with ! 🙏 Awesome !
Thanks so much 💕🙏💕
Excellent projection of what school felt like.
Thanks so much, Sadje 💕
You’re most welcome
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I love the name Graciela😉
Thank you 💕
Grace is a beautiful name I love. The culture made that teacher do it! — When embracing the divine authenticity of Graciela would have alerted her of the immeasurable beauty of the two parts of Graciela: Grace and Sky. It would have also trained her tongue to try. Oh well, their loss. But Grace is, indeed, a beautiful name I love.
Did I ever tell you that Grace Ciela is the name of my protag in my hibernating novel? Yup, it sure is. That’s how much I like this name.
I have a friend, Solangel— another beautiful name. It’s no Fermina Daza; Rosa La Bella; nor Nivea del Valle’s other daughter, Clara, but I love it just as much. Um… That name is also in the novel 😉 😉
This poem— like all the poems you write, is spectacular. I felt for the little girl. Bless her; bless you. (((Hugs)))
Thank you so much, Selma. I absolutely agree that it was cultural and a lot easier for her. Graciela was my paternal grandmothers name, I was named after her. After so many years of being called Grace, I feel that it was meant to be my name. I do like both names now💕🤣💕.
How wonderful to know that you named your main character Grace Ciela. I am so intrigued. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks again, my friend.💕
… of the sun in the sky with diamonds!!
Thank you so much, Selma.💕🙏💕
Well there was a time machine! Beautifully done, Grace, you captured some of the trials and highlights of school so wonderfully! 💞💞💞
Thanks so much, Dawn. Happy you enjoyed it, my friend.💕
~distant memories still fill us and fulfill us~tyvm for sharing;-/
Absolutely. Thanks so much 💕
So many of us ‘see’ you now, beautiful Graciela; beautiful Grace… I wish I could hug little Graciela and tell her – as the song goes- that ‘every little thing is gonna be all right’. I’m sorry they took your name. I’m glad you gave it back to all of us…xoxo 💕💕💕
Thanks so much. So very sweet of you. I was confused by this back then but now see it as if she gave me yet another name. I can relate to both names. Thanks again.💕🙏💕
Oh that, I understand 🙂 I lived in a francophone province for many decades and heard a lot of variations on my own name. I finally came up with a pronunciation others would ‘hear’ (and be able to pronounce) and lived quite happily with my own second name 🙂💕
That’s wonderful.💕
Oh so sweet memories of school days!
….rules where made for us to bend…was truly relatable to me. I appreciate your journey, Grace! A lovely poem indeed 😊💖
Thank you so very much, KK. So glad you enjoyed.💕
Always a pleasure, Grace 💗
Absolutely stunning, Graciela. I have tears in my eyes. ❤️ 💫
I got lucky; at the last minute my mother changed “Annunziata” to “Nancy”.
Thanks so much, Nancy. Annunziata is pretty too, but I could see how you would have faced similar challenges growing up. 💕
Yeah, that’s a definite! ❣️
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School memories. So well written.
Thanks so much, Rebecca 💕
Beautiful Graciela! Slightly sad too but honest! Kids can be cruel as well as teachers too subconsciously. You’ve described it vividly & perfectly as always. 👌👍👏😁
Glad you liked it, Ken. Yes they can be cruel. Thank you so much.💕
You’re most welcome! 😁😊🙏
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Beautiful poem, grace! It left me nostalgic!!💕
Thank you so much, Anjali.💕
My pleasure 😊
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A beautiful and heartfelt poem, Grace. I had a baby granddaughter called Grace, and I always loved that name. Your ‘real’ name, Graciela, is just as gorgeous. School could be very cruel years ago (and it still can be in some ways, although I like to think that has changed for the better now). You are much younger than me, but your poem made me feel nostalgic, although I didn’t have an easy time of it at school, either. Sending you, Grace and young Graciela, warm {{hugs}} Xx 🤗🌼💖
You are so sweet, Ellie. Thank you so much. Truly appreciate your kindness. Hugs to you too.💕
This work is pleasantly relatable.
wait ’til three
unbothered by more homework
be
Happy you enjoyed it. Thanks so much.💕
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This is so sweet but also tinged with sadness…😥
Thanks so much 💕🙏💕
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It is hard growing up so soon. Thanks for sharing this lovely poem❤
It sure is. Thank you.💕
Yup. Welcome💝
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You express your writings so beautifully! What a gem of a poem, inspires me to write more. 💕
So happy you enjoyed. Thank you so much.💕
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