A Myriad of Firsts (Julie Chibbaro)

I’m having trouble concentrating today. Maybe having trouble with the assignment of ‘firsts.’ I’m not so good at assignments. I wish I were better.

The only first I can hear is my sister’s voice, “First in the bathroom!” In that singsongy way that made me know she would crush me if I got there first.

Or being first at a party, or first to an important meeting. I’m always too early for those things.

I like First Saturdays, where galleries open for new art.

There’s a cool science organization called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

An author friend works at First Book, which gets books to kids who can't afford them.

First woman doctor. First woman scientist. First woman in space.

Firsts. Now the word is starting to warm up.