ONLY HOURS AWAY

FROM MY LEAST FAVORITE DAY of the year.

My annual "dreadful" day.  The first day of school.

Last Friday I felt the mourning begin that morning as I realized it was "Meet the Teacher" night at all of the elementary schools in town.

The buzz and excitement accompanied with that night was reserved for our friends who are younger.  I thought of all of our little friends and wondered if they were excited at the news of their new teachers, if they thought their classrooms were inviting and fun, if they had friends in their classrooms. 

With my youngest now in middle school, (you reading me? Middle School!  Yikes!) we had already picked up the kids' schedules earlier in the week.  Picked them up in a very basic and clinical way.  No teacher smiled and hugged them as they walked through the doors.  We entered, got into the correct line (kinda felt like I was getting ready to vote), picked up the schedule, looked it over, shared it with some friends, found the locker and called it good. 

Yep.  That's it.

They are all in the big leagues now.

I'm missing the little leagues already, and I'm still on the countdown.

My tissues are cute though, and I am armed with quite a few; so there is that to look forward to.  Ha, ha.

Our annual night before school begins dinner and family night was great though.  This year we talked about the most important things we should take with us to school.  Those elements that are not tangible but are essential for success.  We filled a backpack with these little essentials and the backpack was light and easy to carry. (The opposites of these were quite a heavy burden, as Megan found out!) But as they fill their lives and minds with the essential items, they will find the burdens of middle school and high school easier to bear and also find that they are able to achieve their goals and dreams.

One of the quotes (a favorite) I shared with them tonight was, “Ideals are like the stars—you can’t touch them with your hands, but by following them you reach your destination.”  Pres. Thomas Monson

The children are ready.  A little nervous and a bit excited, but ready.

Now it is time for me to go catch some Zzz's; gotta be bright eyed and cheery first thing in the morning, and most definitely to be at my best during my favorite part of the school day...pick up!

Good luck to the rest of you who will also be starting school tomorrow.

Comments

[Stacy]

You're so sweet. I remember you enjoyed your children having to stay home sick from school so you could give them TLC and get some one-on-one time! Your kids are so lucky!

[Karen Heasley]

Here's wishing you well! I hope today has gone by quickly for you, and that the next couple of hours go by quickly , too!

Love you, Aunt Mar!!

[Jonathan]

You are amazing! They are spoiled, but that's okay!

JD

PS Where do you find those tissues? I've not seen them at Home Depot.