Bikurgurl, Flash Fiction, Writing

Field Trip {FFfAW – 67th Challenge}

For complete challenge guidelines, see the link below 🙂

FFAW67
Image Credit – TJ Paris

Field Trip

The buses were noisy. Classmates were fidgety, whispering, stealing looks at friends or crushes, enjoying the day away from classes. As the day continued, room after stuffy room, chatter increased as patience decreased.

Suddenly, the group stood quietly solemn as their tour guide led them to the rotunda. Veterans in uniform gathered, saluting Old Glory. With walkers, in wheelchairs, or standing silently, these men and women stopped the idle chatter and nervous giggles in the mouths of those students. In that moment, they stopped short and saw anew the architecture and strength in the government building they toured.

Perhaps they would remember this as more than a day off.

@Bikurgurl_watermark

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Thanks to Priceless Joy for hosting the 67th week at Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers.

Would you like to add yours, or read others?

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34 thoughts on “Field Trip {FFfAW – 67th Challenge}”

    1. I was initially thinking of middle schoolers {we run into a lot of middle school field trips in our own homeschool field trips}, but upon further inspection I realize it likely makes more sense for the group to be high schoolers — ready to be finished for the year, spring fever runs rampant around here!

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      1. We have a different schooling system so we do Grades 1-10 in school. Then 2 years of junior college and 3/4/5 years of bachelor’s degrees. I’m not really sure where middle school and high school would fall around

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      4. No worries 😉 Happy to help…and to be clear, depending on your school district in the USA, middle school could actually stretch from grades 5-8 or 6-9 or just 7-8. Generally speaking, when I think of middle schoolers, I think of the children transitioning from children to young adults. Since every child transitions differently, and at different times, the range could theoretically be pretty wide {as I’m finding out myself, being the mother of two young adults in this general age group!}. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

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      5. Thanks, it’s usually a bit confusing since the education system is so different from the one in India. It’s around the end of school and beginning of junior college in our standards.😀 I’m sure my mother would agree with you. Both my sister and I are adults now and she goes a bit crazy dealing with us

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      6. I find, now that I’m a mother myself, the biggest difference between being a child and being an adult child, is supporting your children no matter their choices — even if you want better or different for them; even if you know they are headed for heart-break or disaster. Adult children must make their own decisions, own paths in life. As a parent, you can ache for them, pray for them, worry for them, and support them – emotionally if nothing else. Thanks for stopping by and providing your perspective 🙂

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      7. Your perspective intrigues me since I’m on the other side of the equation. For my first job, in half a month I have to temporarily relocate to another city for a month and a half. My parents are worried but there is nothing they can do. They call it the ‘Taking Flight’ phase.😊 Thanks for sharing your perspective. Have a nice day ( I hope it’s day where you are😅)

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      8. It is day – I’m in the Pacific NW, USA 😉 Letting go is a huge transition for parents — whether it’s letting go of children going to school, going to college, getting married….many parents still want to have a say not necessarily because they’re bossy, but because they love you. It’s in the growth of the parent that their letting go allows children the wings to fly. Give them grace, call them every couple of days so they know you are happy, well-adjusted, and things are working. They will always worry, they love you and have cared for you your whole life, but this is your time to begin your life. The choices you make now affect your future much more deeply than theirs. They may not like, or agree, with your choices, but only you know where your moral compass lies – where you are wanting to go with your life. You have the aptitude to research this information and make choices that support your moral values, your goals, and your direction. I found when I began to talk to my parents as mentors, with respect, but more like peers in my new adulthood — my parents were much more willing to see what a good job they had done to raise me to be a responsible woman who is thoughtfully making choices based on facts, not flights of fancy 😉 I hope this helps – the transition is difficult from both sides, and perspective is difficult when you’re in the midst of the changes, but hopefully the love can eventually win out of the feelings of frustration and angst. Good Luck!

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      10. No worries – and it’s easier the older you get. Perspective. However, your experience now is invaluable as you’re opinions, thoughts, and ideas will change through the years. You’ll never have this unique experience again to write about what pains you now, what irks you, what makes you happy and fulfilled. So happy to have writers like you in my blogosphere writing circle! Write On!

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  6. Beautiful Bikurgurl. Hopefully, these students appreciate both art and the sacrifices soldiers in their country have made for them to be free and giggle with their friends. I think the solemneous of this occasion would make many remember it.

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  7. the innocence in the first paragraph brought lovely nostalgia of a vivid fieldtrip memory, and then you followed it by a serious and so meaningful follow-up that surprised me in a very good way. Your brought depth in very good step, girl! 🙂 ❤

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  8. Wow, that got me all choked up. I’m such a big softie and the way you described the solemn respect they kids showed was a powerful moment. This was a moving story. Well done!

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  9. A serious dose of reality is important to jolt those fidgety, distracted students into renewed (or new) awe and respect!
    Such a wise and well-rendered perspective! As a teacher who taught middle schoolers for seventeen+ years, I appreciate your story deeply.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and your kind compliment! I’m in the midst of raising, and homeschooling, middleschool-aged children. While out and about, we often notice field trips full of children unsure of how to navigate their new-found freedom. More oftentimes than not, the children are just excited to out and about together, but really are just as interested in learning as the rest of us 😉 Thank you again!

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