Down the garden path of -Yesteryears & Yesterdays

“We are the sum total of our experiences. Those experiences – be they positive or negative – make us the person we are, at any given point in our lives. And, like a flowing river, those same experiences, and those yet to come, continue to influence and reshape the person we are, and the person we become. None of us are the same as we were yesterday, nor will be tomorrow.”
― B.J. Neblett

Yesterday, the 5th of September, was Teacher’s Day. I reveled in the warmth of messages and wishes from old students. There’s something so special about old students remembering you: They bring back memories of yesteryears, a day of celebrations in school, of being made to feel special….and on its heels, a birthday celebration at home that kept me on my toes. The first celebration at school felicitated and honored the teachers. An honor I got by default: I was a teacher. The second one at home felicitated my late husband whose birthday fell on the fifth. I will always remember 5th September for the joie de vivre, food, and the company that invariably overflowed at home: he was a popular man.

Yesterday was no doubt different from the yesteryears of my teaching days that I remembered. It was as it’s been for many years now – quiet, peaceful, and relaxed…I loved it as much as I had loved the hustle-bustle of the older ones.

I recalled another yesterday from the yesteryears. A friend, from France, had sent me pages and pages of information about food, medical treatment, and general healthcare for people with my blood group. I was not keeping too well in those days and was recuperating from major surgery. She meant well, but I was skeptical. I had never heard about blood group-based treatments or food. It sounded bizarre and way out. Since then I have heard of such practices around the world, but they haven’t gained many followers.

Yesterday, I read that personalities differ according to blood groups! I am acquainted with differences according to zodiac and sun signs thanks to Linda Goodman’s books. She writes about how these signs are responsible for certain characteristics of personality and their significant role in shaping one’s destiny. I do not take any part of it seriously. However, I was intrigued by this new information but could not find much written about it.

The memory connected with the new information I had come across. It seems like the theory of the effects of different blood groups on personality, food requirements and general healthcare has its believers all around the world. It’s interesting to go through even though you might pooh-pooh it at the end of the reading! I’m giving you the personality for AB+ compiled from different sources… you will guess why I found it amusing and interesting at the same time.

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Type AB “CARE-FREE”

Population: 4% of the world is AB + and 1% AB –

Your traits: Easy-going, Diplomatic, Creative, Unpredictable, Artistic, Flexible, and Moody.

People with type “AB” are blends of opposites. They can be shy with some issues and bold with others. They are both introverts and extroverts. They are unpredictable and seem to have a calm exterior. They are very creative and good at spotting problems and skirting them. They can get bored easily. Everything they do is compelling. (they)Never take things for granted. Appear mysterious. Contribute harmoniously to society. They dislike touching or being touched by others.

Cool and controlled, you are generally well-liked and always put people at ease. You are a natural entertainer who is tactful and fair. But, you are standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.

It is called “The Enigma.”

Wikipedia definition: An enigma is a puzzle, something mysterious or inexplicable, or a riddle or difficult problem.

Type ABs are the split personalities of the blood groups.

According to all the Google research I have done, the first positive date for AB blood type was 700 AD. However, if you believe the discovery of the Shroud of Turin, which was found to have AB blood on it, was the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in after his crucifixion, then it would be much earlier than that.

What does AB mean in blood types?

Those who have type AB blood do not make any A, B, or O antibodies. It will accept any blood type in a transfusion. AB is the universal recipient.

So how did it come into being when the rest of the world was O, A, and B?
If an A is inherited from one parent and a B from the other, the type will be AB
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See what I mean…the AB population worldwide is 4%…

“Shroud of Turin”…

“AB blood on it…

“split personalities”… :)!!

What a yesterday it was!

Yesterday also brought up memories of an actor and a couple of singers.

I remembered Sidney Poitier yesterday and how he carried off his characters (whichever one he was playing) with aplomb on the silver screen! His role as a teacher in the movie ‘To Sir With Love’ remains one of my favorites. It appealed to us young ones quite a bit because it was in stark contrast to what we had on the other side of the table most of the time. Oh, that we had a teacher like him!

And that made me remember Lulu…her songs tumbling off records spinning on the turntable. Sharing some lines of a song she sang for the teacher who is played by Sidney Poitier in the movie: To Sir With Love.

But how do you thank someone

who has taken you from crayons to perfume?

It isn’t easy but I’ll try.

A friend who taught me right from wrong

And weak from strong, that’s a lot to learn

What, what can I give you in return?

If you wanted the moon

I would try to make a start

But I would rather you let me give my heart

To Sir, with love.

Much later, as a young teacher, new to the profession, I dreamed of other ‘Lulus’ singing that lovely title song to me! Reality check -They didn’t! But they more than made up for it with lovely cards and wishes! I’ve got beautiful memories of my yesteryears in the classroom with my students.

Yesterday, I dedicated that title song to my favorite teachers, who won’t even know about it: Some of them perhaps may not be alive I’m guessing, or then, well into their eighties or nineties. Definitely not on social media. But that doesn’t matter…they gave me wonderful yesterdays that brightened my tomorrows down the years. I will continue to be grateful to them.

Sigh! Nostalgia!

Yesterday I wove a lovely fabric from old yarn. Today it is time for something else.