{"product_id":"my-formative-years-one-to-eighty-one-9798330387144","title":"My Formative Years: One to Eighty-One","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen I retired from my career as a federal attorney I no longer required my top secret clearance, but I did need something to do. My first morning in retirement I was checking \"Volunteers Wanted\" ads when the sidewalk before my house erupted with kids. It was 9 a.m. and they were going to the school across the street. I had always been at work when it opened, but I was seeing them now and was amazed at how joyous and free they were. On impulse I asked the principal if she could use a volunteer, and she appointed me assistant kindergarten teacher.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe kids loved me and I loved them. Observing small children brought back memories of my own childhood, resulting in the first of these essays. That began with my life as a toddler, but a lot had happened since then and I decided to keep writing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Global Publishings","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50912153469202,"sku":"9798330387144","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_1824b135-93fd-4681-9d65-829743766a34.jpg?v=1738765745","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/my-formative-years-one-to-eighty-one-9798330387144","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}