AN ICE CREAM TREAT seemed in order after walking through Owatonna’s beautifully-redone, pedestrian-friendly downtown Tuesday afternoon. The sun shone bright on a day as ideal as they come in southern Minnesota. Yes, I could go for ice cream to cool off, not that I ever really need a reason.
So Randy and I headed to our favorite home-grown ice cream shop, The S’Cream.
But our stop at this busy walk-up shop turned out to be more than a pause in our day for a peanut butter sundae and a monster cookie dough Flurry. I struck up a conversation with Paisley and her grandpa (mostly Paisley) while Randy waited for our order.
I didn’t know the two. But I like to engage in conversation, even with strangers. I’ve met many interesting individuals this way. Paisley is no exception. She had just finished her first day of kindergarten and was celebrating with a vanilla/strawberry twist ice cream cone.
As Paisley licked her cone and I spooned cookie dough-flavored ice cream, we talked. First off, I asked about school, a day she summarized as “good and fun.” That led to my next question, “What made it fun?”
Well, Paisley explained, she brought a Barbie book home from school. That prompted me to stress the importance of reading. If you can read, you can learn anything, I told my new friend who is turning six in September. I shared that I also have a September birthday. To which Paisley shared that she’s celebrating her birthday all month long. True or not, I don’t know. But I do know this. Paisley doesn’t like spiders, including the one hanging out in her kindergarten classroom on Tuesday.
But that didn’t quell her spirit. Paisley was happy and animated and not one bit shy. I learned a lot in the time we ate our treats. Her backpack is purple and sports a “P.” She lives in the country, had three cats (one’s gone; I didn’t ask), has three semi trucks (one is “hers”; again, I didn’t ask) and has a loose tooth. Paisley wiggled a bottom front tooth to verify her claim.
This kindergartner was all wiggles. Understandable given her first full school day. She moved constantly while licking the melting ice cream that soon ran onto her hands. A few drips fell onto her shirt, a sparkly pink tee emblazoned with the word LOVE.
What a great message Paisley took to school. She exudes love. That gives me hope. Here’s a little girl who loves school and life and birthdays, especially birthdays. I felt absolute joy in her presence.
Forty-five miles away, my 5-year-old grandson also started kindergarten. He’s much different than Paisley. Quiet. Reserved. But he is no less enthusiastic about school. His mom, my eldest, shared this upon his return home: “Isaac said the school day felt like 3 minutes!” So, yes, he, too, had a good day, a fun day, summarized in that creative response to his mom.
Oh, the joy these kindergartners—one a stranger, the other a dear one—brought me on a beautiful September day in southern Minnesota.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love talking to strangers too, and understand the impact these conversations have on us. they often bring surprises and joy to our hearts. first off, I’m jealous of the ice cream place and may have to stop by an ice cream shop today. )
I also love paisley’s spirit, her honesty, her perspective, and her willingness to share a bit of her life with someone who took an interest in her. best to your grandson, and paisley and all who are starting school today, it sounds like each enjoyed the experience in their own way, and that’s as it should be!
Thanks for appreciating my story about Paisley. And, yes, I always like to show a sincere interest in whomever I speak to. Paisley was so open and outgoing and sweet in every way.
Such a cute and loving story. I could just picture the little ones since we also have an energetic kindergarten grandson. simple joys in our world today. thankful
Simple joys, for sure. I hope your little guy had as great a school day as Paisley and Isaac.
What a lovely time you must have had! After reading your article, it seemed like I’d almost met Paisley myself! Thank you.
Oh, Coral, that is the BEST compliment, to say you felt like you were there eating ice cream with Paisley.
What a lovely exchange! It is really those moments that help us to enjoy our life and engaging with even the youngest enlighten us and lift our spirits just when we need them lifted. What a fun “reward” for the first day. I need to send you a pic of Theo on his first day of his new class. Such excitement.
Would love to see a pic of Theo. I enjoyed another “moment” today with a young woman who makes tie-dyed t-shirts. Post coming next week.
I hope those sweet kindergarteners never lose their joy of school, or thinking that ‘fun’ means bringing home a book to read!! 🩷
I hope the same, Rose.
Thank you for this post… it brought to mind a sweet song by Country Music artist, Cody Johnson. This week it hit # 1. It is called “Dirt Cheap” and it is the story of a cotton crop farmer reminiscing about farm life and his family’s importance within… You can google it and listen and/or watch the YouTube video. (I needed a box of Kleenex ❤ )
This sounds like a great song. How wonderful that my post reminded you to Cody Johnson’s song. I know nothing about country music…
She sounds absolutely precious and I hope her love of school sticks with her through out her life. I cannot believe your grandchild is in kindergarten already.
Paisley was absolutely precious. My granddaughter started third grade. And now Isaac is in kindergarten. Time flies. They both love school.
Children’s joy is infectious; you caught the spirit of that in your post. Happy kindergarten days to your grandson!
I so enjoyed talking with Paisley and then writing about our conversation. She was a delight. I can’t wait to talk to my grandson about kindergarten.
Beautiful post today – love those encounters with strangers, especially the little ones – so full of energy, imagination, excitement, etc. 🙂 I remember my nephews being that age – one was reserved, one was bursting at the seams to soak up life, and one was shy as well as afraid to just open up and be because of his two older brothers (glad he found his way). Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Renee. Thank you also for sharing about your nephews. I know they have brought you much joy in life.