Little Red Lunch Kit

This little red lunch kit got me through Kindergarten and Grade One.  Mum decorated it with butterflies and flowers - stickers that were left over from the newly decorated crib for my youngest sister.  My name and old address are still visible on the bottom of the lunch kit, printed in my Dad's architectural lettering.

I cried every day in Kindergarten, and almost as often in Grade One.  Like a soldier's kit bag, my little red lunch kit was there through the "tough" times.  I'll never surrender it.

Leaving home every day, lunch kit in hand was a big deal.  I had a long, one-mile walk to school, and back, including crossing a busy street.  There were neighbourhood dogs, eight year old boys, and haunted houses (well, only one of those).  And every step of the way, I'd worry if stepping on a crack really would break my Mother's back.    

Walking the same route every day, was a chance to study the seasons:  the vibrant reds and oranges of Autumn leaves; the shape of snowflakes; the soft blue green of a real Robin's egg; and the joy of being able to wear only a light sweater on the long walk. On rare occasion, I'd take a different street, past the Sea Captain's house where the Monkey Puzzle tree grew.  I was told that it's the only tree a monkey can't climb.

I excelled in finger painting, was completely befuddled keeping time with the tambourine (worse with the triangle), and to this day, arithmetic and Ba-Ba Black Sheep are strangely linked.  Maybe it was loneliness for the family back home, or just low blood sugar...the tears would start mid day.  

The little red lunch kit was comfort.  It was home in a box.  I clearly remember the little plastic honey bear container which Mum filled with fresh milk each day.  You can still buy them in the honey aisle of most grocery stores.   

At the end of Grade One, we moved, to a new house in the suburbs, less than two blocks from the school.  I came home to a hot bowl of soup, and a sandwich every day. 

What's in your kids' or grand kids' lunchboxes?  Do you prepare the same lunches you grew up with?  What's changed in the brown paper bag department over the years? 

Photos:  Copyright Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.