grade school hats

today, a kind senior looking woman spoke to me in a slight german accent and told me her story. it was about her journey coming to canada. at first she started reminiscing about how in her grade school days in slovenia children of different grades were required to were hats that indicated what grade they were in. each school had a different color and a different style for girls and another style for boys, each of the hats would have roman numerals emblazened on them their current grade. the girls hat, she said, looked almost clown-like. she painted a picture of something like a dutch maid looking kind of hat with the grade was indicated on the front and the top of the hat came to a point and to the sides, flaps that curved up on each side. well, at least thats what i remembered she had said. the boys would have some kind of side swooping cap, maybe like a beret, but not really, with the grade indicated on the side of the cap. this apparently was a system to curb truancy or something of the sort because as a student walking down the street you were easily identifiable as to what school and grade you were in by teachers or anyone, for that matter. going to the movies was a treat and there was only one car in the cit where she grew up, and that car was a taxi. children were not allowed out past nine in the evening and if you were caught out past that curfrew it was recorded by the school principle in your report card that was given to your parents! ..remember this is post world war two eastern europe in the former country of yugoslavia (now that country is divided into croatia and slovenia apparently). growing up in a communist state was something that was less than desirable according to her and her escape to austria after the second world war was her stepping stone to freedom. while in austria she worked with the nuns to earn money to help with her family's immigration to canada. her job entailed ironing childrens clothing for the nuns, i gather it was for the church going children at that church school. i guess that is where the german accent which i detected earlier, it actually happened to come from her time in austria, so much for the yugoslavian accent, which i think i would fail to recognise anyhow. my good friend from high school, his dad is from yugoslavia and his mom was from the philippines, crazy huh.. but i don't remember how thick his accent was, or hers for that matter. ah well, anhow... her journey to canada wass't an easy one. and that is probably true for alot of immigrants to canada, and they all have a story. since living in canada for over 20 years now, it still bothers her to see the youth these days wasting half a sandwich or complaining about various insignificant things that we all seem to take for granted these days, "they need to be hit on the head to realize somethings.." she said with conviction. as for me, i will continue to fighting flying centipede worms swimming in lochnessesque soup dreams, comforting and providing what i can for out loved ones in times of stress and strife and cherishing time, even if so very short, well spent with the people we ultimately care for in this God forsaken world. and the at the very least i'll count my blessings and pray for the world and share all the passing life stories i come across so we can realize all the things we take for granted.. ok ok. enough of that..