Where was I?
First grade sex ed lecture I do believe.
My Dad, had quite the technical library.
Among my early favorites was Grants Illustrated Atlas Of Anatomy.
Which I spent hours perusing.
I developed a life long love of reading from sitting next to my father as he studied. Texts on Anatomy, physiology, Biology, Psychology, Criminal Science.
I idolized my Dad. So seeing him with serious books, focused, sipping coffee, chain smoking. Led me to investigate those things myself.
I actually learned to read via this process before starting school. That little wonderment led to some interesting parent teacher and PTA meetings.
As a result of this home environment, not only was I reading at five years of age, but, I also was aware of certain anatomical discrepancies between boys and girls.
Thanks to the colored plates of Grants Anatomy, I was aware of certain aspects of child birth. IE where babies came from. I even knew the proper names for, anatomical aspects involved.
Shall we say this was not the accepted norm at Lilburn Elementary in Lilburn Georgia circa 1971.
One spring day during recess a discussion arose amongst first grade boys and second grade boys. The subject was, where do babies come from. The standard theories of Storks, cabbage leafs and even eggs hatching were laid out.
I, have never been able to keep my mouth shut. And so I weighed in. Spouting such terms as Penis, Vagina, Uterus,Birth Canal, sketching crude pseudo accurate diagrams in the dirt of the play ground. Explained that boys and girls had different parts that did different amazing things.
The shock of actual birth being described was met with horror and disbelief. Proof of the crazy things I said was demanded.
I told about Dads big book of anatomical wonder, and about watching puppies being born.
This was met with disbelief. I was called a liar.
I couldn't let that outrage stand so, that evening I carefully removed several colored plates from the big Grants Atlas of Anatomy.
The next day, I presented them at school during recess.
This led to confusion, chaos, denial and a third grader snatching one of the colored illustrations, with my angry pursuit.
A teacher broke up the intense discussion.
This resulted in a WTF moment as she looked at an accurate full color cutaway diagram of a penis. A brief search and snatch and she had all of the illustrations. All fingers pointed at me. I freely admitted everything not having a clue what the fuss was about.
Phone calls were made. My Father came to the school. I spent the rest of that Friday with him as he finished his route. He was not happy about the damages to his anatomy book. As far as he was concerned that was the only issue. I got to ride around all afternoon on the school bus Dad drove, a six year old amongst high school kids.
( Dad was in college at that time, one of the jobs he held was as a school bus driver)
The weekend passed. I was grounded for damaging Dads book.Things seemed otherwise okay. However, during the weekend, my educational efforts were revealed to various families. Some of which were outraged, offended, furious and began demanding my immediate expulsion.
This was discussed at the Tuesday night PTA meeting. I do not know what was said there. What I do know is, Dad defended me and laughed in the faces of those offended. Miss Fair, my teacher, also defended me.
Both made sure that I knew that I had done nothing wrong. Thus encouraged, I set out on a life long joy of reading, learning, taunting trolls, defying ignorance.
Voila!
Y’all get to enjoy the fruits of the tree that was planted.
Careful with those seeds.