A Tale of Two Pencils
posted February 11th, 2007 by Shannon
This is the tale of two pencils that once belonged to two students whose class load was filled with pencil-intense classes such as math and computer science. The two pencils dutifully served those students well during Calculus III, Linear Algebra, Abstract Math, Assembler II, and so forth. Finally after such dedicated service, they rested. And rested. In the back of a very dark drawer. When the drawer was opened, the students’ hands reached for the newer, stronger 0.9 lead pencils. As time passed, smaller hands began reaching in the drawer. The small hands went for the pencils decorated with hearts, sparkles, basketballs or cars. And so the two lonely pencils remained mostly untouched for many years. Until the day they were brought forth once again. The two students they had served so well smiled sweetly at them, reminisced a bit, and then announced that the 0.5 lead remaining in their cavities was now needed for another recipient. They had broken parts, worn-down erasers, and missing pocket clips. With their lead now removed, they could serve the students no more. And thus, after a quick parting photo, they were then dropped into another dark place. Where their journey took them after that, the students will never know.
Goodbye dear pencils, you served us well.
Filed under: Family on February 11th, 2007
Someone has too much time on their hands if they are writing long blog posts about pencils.
This post reminded me of those “pencil intense” classes that you had to work so very, very hard to pass at ASU. Many of us cannot relate or understand the intensity of programming classes. I especially remember the Assembler II class when you had to have the program debugged by Thanksgiving or you probably would not pass the class. You would share how none of your friends in other majors could relate to that pressure or stress. They still had time to watch movies and go out on the weekends but also considered their classes very tough and didn’t understand why you didn’t have free time. I certainly never had that type of stress in my education classes.
The story also reminds me of documenting special events or memories with a photograph which seems to give you the permission to throw it away and move on with the assurance that what it represents will not be forgotten. (or maybe taking a picture of a lego masterpiece so your child will disassemble the model she has worked so hard and long to build) Thanks for posting and sharing your story with us.
Shannon, this is a very insightful post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
Hey, I wonder if taking pictures of some once important things in “certain areas of our home” would help with the decluttering projects?
I actually had this blue pencil since high school. It stayed with me through thick and thin, filled in many a scan tron test, and worked out many a math problem. But alas, I wore it out, and had to say goodbye *sniffels wiping back a tear*.