THE PLAIN BROWN PAPER SACK
As I look back to my youth, I find a memory of a plain brown paper sack.
As a school boy I would rise every morning I and see my mother in the kitchen. She was carefully placing items in a plain brown paper sack. She wrapped a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in wax paper. Lovingly, she would arrange it at the bottom of the sack. Next, she dropped in an apple or an orange. Sometimes, a banana. Often, there would be slices of celery and, best of all, a small candy bar. Oh, did I love that brown paper sack, for it contained the contents of my school lunch. Something to look forward to after a morning of learning.
But, how our times have changed. I read the other day that in the Bay area students are ordering their noon lunches over their cell phones. $3.99 for a cheese and mac…$2.25 for a hot dog…$3.99 bucks for a hamburger. All paid for by a credit card and delivered to the school door by a food truck. But, a problem has developed. So many food trucks are showing up and so many unknown people that officials are worried about security. So, what did they do? They sent a letter home to parents politely suggesting that school lunches for their children be prepared at home. Could this lead to a revival of the plain brown paper sack? Will this relic of past times return to our times?
If so, I can only hope that the return will also be accompanied by, what for me, was the best part of the school lunch…the hug and the kiss my mother gave to me as she placed in my hands…that plain brown paper sack.