We've Got This

It is the beginning of a new school year.

This time of year has always been one of my favorites. It signals the time to hit Target and load up on 3 ring binders, college-ruled paper, mechanical pencils, colorful folders, and the promise of jobs well-done. 

It signals the time to purchase that first day of school outfit, brand new tennis, and a few other clothing essentials that one needs to begin a new school year.

The new school year means a brand new slate, new goals, fresh beginnings.

I get excited just thinking about it.

That’s what I miss the most from teaching — that first day excitement. 

Roy, Jace and I spent this past weekend loading up on first day “essentials.” We hit Sam’s Club and Academy Sports and Kohl’s. Jace is well-prepared in the area of clothing; we kind of skipped over the supplies, however. I’ll get those tomorrow as his first day is Thursday.

We registered Jace last week and the school sent him home with a brand new MacBook. It is still sitting on his dresser in anticipation.

Well, I’m “anticipating…” Jace? Not so much. He claims he will miss these lazy days of freedom — sleeping in, hanging out, long hours with nothing to do…

But I think that secretly he’s excited. And if he isn’t….well, I’m excited enough for the both of us.

Jace chose to join sports this year. He intends to play basketball but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him throw a couple more sports in the arena once he starts. But joining the sports program is a big decision. It entails arriving at the school gym by 6:00 every morning for calisthenics and practice. 

I do believe that will teach some kids a few things about discipline — my kid being one of them.

I’m happy for him. And I’m happy for his teachers.

And I am especially happy about cheering for Jace at his games — even if he’s just sitting on the bench. Tami (my sister) and I talked about how we are going to get special shirts made that have Jace’s name on them so that whenever we are at the games, the crowd will know we are there to REPRESENT.

Jace was super excited about that idea. When we told him, he just shook his head and walked away. I’m sure he was overwhelmed with gratitude.

Students will be coming back to Southwestern this next week as well. It’s rather quiet in our office during the summer, so we are all ready for some energy in our hallways and on our campus. 

As this new year begins, I have many things to anticipate:

   *Tami and Chas will be moving into their brand new home which is almost completed. I can see their garage door from my porch and we are eager for them to be our neighbors. Frankly, I can’t wait. In fact, most evenings Tami and I meander through their house to see the progress. Change is subtle now as it’s just the details: light fixtures, electricity — that sort of thing. We are all anticipating our side-by-side future together.

   *A cruise. Roy and I have booked a cruise for the end of January in celebration of our 30 year anniversary which we just hit on August 2. We are both counting the days.

   *Fall. It’s my favorite time of year. Of course, I say that about just about every season right before it rolls around. But that’s okay. It keeps me looking forward.

   *Holidays. As I get older, the holidays get sweeter. I still have my parents; Sav and G will head home for a few days; Darian will be here as well. What’s not to love?

And so, even though I’m not in the classroom, I’m still excited about all the promise that a brand new school year brings. Bring on the sharpened pencils, creative projects, red ink and furrowed brows.

We’ve got this.