Back To School

Summer vacation is coming to a close for all the kiddos and it's time to go back to school!  Yes, new pens, pencils, back packs, lunch boxes, hair-cuts, clothes, and hopefully lots of excitement...along with a few nerves to start.  I remember the feeling well.  Those "first day of school" jitters of excitement, but more nervousness every new school year.  The careful consideration of your outfit for the first day of school, seeing who were in each of your classes, meeting new teachers, and getting into the groove of extra-curricular activities. 

For me, that was dance and then drill team in high school.  And drill team started with summer camp, a week-long intensive week of learning numerous new routines, performing those routines for ribbons at the end of the week, long days of practicing and perfecting, and finally performing.  Those were also the days of strict discipline, smiling at all times until your cheeks actually started to go a little numb, bonding with your teammates through stress and sometimes tears, eating a lot of junk food late at night and then staying up until the wee hours of the morning to practice and then practice some more.  How in the world did I survive that?!  It's helps being 16.  Now, the long nights, junk food and wear and tear on my body would definitely do me in...after one day!

Then, we'd kick of the new school year with a tea hosted at someone's house that included our moms which was always special since they were fully entrenched in everything we did...from wearing their school spirit/drill team attire to all games and performances, to helping with fundraising, sewing costumes, pinning hair/hats/costumes, attending booster meetings, and so much more!  It was definitely a team effort.

So, as the new school year approaches (and may have started already for some), I hope all the kiddos out there have a fabulous new school year!  I hope they learn from tireless teachers, have fun in their extra-curricular activities, make new friends, and reach out to any student that is sitting alone or seems to be alone.  Make it a great new school year!  May blessings of courage, anticipation, friendliness, compassion and grace be with all students starting a new school year!