Voices of MainStreet: Lisa Rae Rosenberg

Happiness Supplies

July 22, 2011

My idea of heaven: A fresh, yellow Pee Chee folder, a glossy Trapper Keeper and a new box of number two pencils. Now you know that I grew up in the late-70’s and also that I love school supplies. When I was a kid, the annual late-August trip to Vessey’s Drug Store to purchase supplies was one of my favorite outings. The school year had yet to start and these items represented a new semester, ripe with possibilities. It was the clean-slate feeling of New Year’s Day and it came with its own accessories. Perfect.

Now that I’m an adult, I am expected to refer to the goods in the aisles of Staples as “office supplies.” I don’t. The reams of paper and packages of highlighters are still “school supplies” to me. I enjoy cruising the wares, checking out the notebooks and fancy pens; the white-out things with the little wheels inside are a favorite.

My son is still in pre-school and has yet to be presented with a list of items to purchase. In a year or two, when that day finally arrives, I will feel the tiny thrill of filling up a cart with new pink erasers and felt-tip pens for him and maybe a box of mechanical pencils for me. I look forward to this simple joy. In the meantime, I might just tide myself over with a pack of post-its… or five.

—Lisa is a former comedy writer for television. She now writes about her funny family at her blog Smacksy.com.