Random Memory

I don't know what was going on, but I remember being in second grade, standing outside my elementary school with all the other students because of something to do with the flag. We were supposed to be watching some Boy Scouts raise it, but when I looked at the top of the pole, the sun was in my eyes. So I put my hand up to block it out, and as I'm standing there my teacher comes over and puts her hand on my shoulder. "You know, Loren," she said, "you don't have to salute it."

I think about that whenever I use my hand to shield my eyes from the sun.