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Earth School - Family - Personal Stories

How to Think for Yourself | Earth School Day 3

Stop, Look, Listen Then Decide for Yourself

When I was 5 years old, my mother thought it was time for me to learn to cross the road. I would be going to school in a few months, and she wanted me to be able to cross the road by myself. I was going to be a school bus rider and I was the oldest child in our family. It would set a good example for my two younger brothers to follow when they were ready to start school. Plus, if I could master getting to the bus safely by myself, that would be a big help to my mom.

The school bus stopped next to where our mailbox was on the main road. We lived one house in on a side road. I don’t remember exactly how many times I crossed the road prior to my mishap, but it really doesn’t matter. At least it doesn’t when it comes to telling my story about not believing what you are told and instead making sure to find out for yourself, no matter what the situation.

The Day of the Great Awakening

It was in the summer of 1958 and I was scheduled to start kindergarten right after Labor Day weekend. I walked up to Milltown Road to cross the street. I looked left, then right and left again. Coast was clear. No traffic. I crossed without a hitch. I got to the other side and went to the mailbox to fetch our mail. That is when the mailman appeared in his truck. He personally handed me the mail and then signaled me that it was OK to cross back over to go home. He said to go ahead, the coast was clear and I believed him.

I put one foot out and then another in front of that one and then a third and then whack, a car hit me! I flew into the air, hit the ground head first, got up and took off running. I ran into the woods. The driver and the mailman could not find me. I just vanished as quickly as I got whacked.

Continue reading this story on Donna’s Substack

The first part of today’s Earth School lesson sets the theme. The full story, reflection, and continuation of this series are available to Donna’s Substack subscribers. Subscribe to Donna on Substack.

Books & Movies Mentioned in This Post

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. That means if you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share resources I genuinely believe are helpful and aligned with the values of this community. Your support helps keep this work going — and I’m grateful for it.

2001 A Space Odyssey
(A visionary sci-fi epic where humanity’s evolution is guided — and challenged — by a mysterious intelligence beyond Earth.)

Soylent Green
(A haunting dystopian thriller revealing the terrifying cost of survival in an overpopulated, resource-starved future.)

Pure Human — Gregg Braden
(Examines human potential, coherence, and the return to our original design.)