Stanley School – Flint Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

In May I went on a field trip to Crossroads Village http://www.geneseecountyparks.org/crossroadsvillage.htm  with my younger son’s class. 

We spent the day in their one room school-house that was used from 1883-1963, called Stanley School http://www.geneseecountyparks.org/map_school.htm When we were there we took a trip back to the 1800′s, and experienced what school was like for the students at that time. 

We learned that all of the teacher’s back then were called Miss, because women no longer taught once they were married.

We learned that the boys sat on one side of the room, and the girls sat on the other.  We also learned that the boys assignment was on one side of the chalkboard, and the girls assignments were on the other. 

While the 3 r’s stand for reading, writing, and arithmetic nowadays, we learned that they once stood for reading, writing, and religion.

We learned that teacher’s spanked children.

My little guy was the only one that was willing to get a spanking.  When no one else raised their hand, he nervously decided to raise his.

And of course she did not actually spank him  

The kids dressed in clothes that were typical of that time period, and they ate food that was typical of the 1800′s.  Bringing glass jars filled with juice was not the best idea, but luckily we only had one jar break, and spill.  (Which of course belonged to my little man.)

As I was sitting in the small one room school-house I couldn’t help but wonder about the all of the children, and teachers that learned, and grew, and taught here.

I pictured girls with braids, and bonnets.  I pictured little boys with holes in their overalls, and frogs in their pockets.  I pictured pranks pulled on teachers, and secrets whispered at recess.  I pictured life.  This small building that was now used for field trips was once the center of someone’s day.  The place where they made friendships, and learned.  A place that helped to shape their futures. 

As I was busy wondering about, and picturing these people that had once called this place school, I couldn’t help but wonder about the lives of the people that built, and lived in our home so many years ago.

Our house was built sometime between 1900, and 1908, and as I sat listening to their day, and watched the kids play games that we no longer play today, I wondered if the children that lived in our home played these very same games outside in our yard. 

I wondered what their mother was like while she stood in the very same places that I stand raising her children. 

Our home has so much history, and has been blessed with many people in the past 100 years.  I wish that I could see photos of the people that have slept in the same rooms where my children sleep.  Of the men who worked in the barn where my husband stores his tools.  Of the women who cared for, and loved their family in the same rooms that I care for my very own family now. 

Wouldn’t it be interesting to know their stories?  Wouldn’t it be interesting to see their faces, and know their names?

It can be so easy to get caught up in your own day to day life, but the next time you stand under a big shady tree take a moment to think about who may have planted that tree, or who may have stood under it’s shady branches before you came along. 

In the grand scheme of things, life is short.  Make an impression on someone, and think of those that were here before you.  If it weren’t for them, life would not be what it is today.

And then go out, and fill the world with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!