A Spelling Tip and a Spelling Bee

When I was in first grade we had lists of spelling words to learn. Thankfully, reading, writing, and spelling came naturally. Spelling words correctly didn’t require a lot of learning or practice, but I remember when one word did. 

Enough 

I must have been going over my list of words and kept struggling with “enough” when I went outside where my dad was working on a car under our carport. I told him how I was having a hard time and he suggested writing the word multiple times in order to recall it better. 

I clearly remember seeing the pad of lined white paper on the hood of the car and my young handwriting scrawling out e-n-o-u-g-h — it quickly provided the success I needed. Who knows if I was thoughtful enough to say thanks to my dad, but I sure hope so.

Soon after, my first grade teacher was verbally quizzing us on our spelling words. She brought us up to her desk one by one saying a word for us to spell. Much to my delight, the word “enough” kept tripping up my classmates. The teacher did not move on to another word until someone got it correct. I was jumping out of my skin, so excited at the prospect of being THE ONE to spell “enough” correctly. 

The line made it to me and with my heart beating so fast I confidently said:

E-N-O-U-G-H (!)

I gleamed as the teacher responded with pride (she was known for being hard to please) and I imagined my friends filled with jealousy. 

I don’t know if my classroom success had anything to do with taking part in the schoolwide spelling bee, but I remember still being in first grade and competing with students from all grades. Until fourth grade I went to a small Lutheran elementary school, so my competitors were not as numerous as if I attended a larger public school. 

I was doing well and spelling words that older kids were not. Then I was given the word “Thursday.” Easy, I thought. With a smile I said:

“Thursday. t-h-u-r-s-d-a-y. Thursday.” 

Then I heard the pronouncer say “Incorrect.” 

(What?!)

“You forgot to say ‘capital T,’ but everything else is right. Please sit down.”

(My heart crashes to the bottom of my stomach)

I was embarrassed, mad, and sad. I wanted to fight or debate it, but I couldn’t — I knew it was the rule. It comes as no surprise that I became a stickler for capitalization from then on. 

Looking back on these memories, I see so much of my innate desire for correctness. How I sometimes think that I prove my worth by being right. 

In a lighter sense, these memories are loving affirmations of this editing business. I’m passionate about learning all there is about this crazy English language and using that to help others with their words.

And in case I didn’t say it at the time, 

Thank you, Daddy — 💚. 

No thanks to that pronouncer — 😉.