Family Colors

Giggles went on a trip to Ellis Island recently with the entire 5th grade. She was so excited about this trip that when the notice came home she immediately wrote the date on the family calendar with big bold letters and reminded me a gazillion times to sign the back of the permission slip. My history of signing in the right place is sketchy, Ace brought back at least 4 in his elementary school days, and she wanted no questions about this trip. In my defence the permission slip asks for all the standard my-child-can-go-on-this-trip info, such as name, allergies, rank, serial number, health insurance, last will & testament, financial position, shoe size and DNA code on the front of the form. There is only one line on the back and that is for the parent's signature. One would think they could have fit that on the front side as well. Maybe it's a joke to see how observant the parents really are. I'd bet I'm not the only parental moron that missed the signature line, because really, once you've filled in all of the requested info and checked off the box that says "YES" I approve my child going on this trip, is there any doubt that it's okay?

Off she went, by bus and ferry in drippy dreary weather, to the Gateway of America. Clutched in her damp hands was a bagged lunch and copies of the ship manifest of when her Great Great Grandmother, Great Grandfather, assorted Great Uncles and distant relatives crossed the Atlantic together from Italy, because I am nothing if not a data geek and proud to pass that on to my kids.
The trip was a success, the excitement and fascination evident as she shared tales of her trip in animated discussions at the dinner table that night. Her souvenir choices were just as thrilling and she couldn't wait to show them to us. An Italian flag, representing the Great relatives that passed through the doorways of Ellis Island in the late 1800's and early 1900's. And a Japanese flag, because her cousin lived in and loved Japan so much and she has Japanese relatives now. When Giggles discusses family ties, she prefers to ignore the genetics piece and insists she is part Japanese.

Despite the fact that she is more Irish than Italian, those were her top choices. And her stingy mother didn't give her enough cash to buy all three flags. But at least I signed the back of the damn form.