I know that a blog entry titled Happy New Year may seem weird on August 31 but for me, the first day of school always feels like the beginning of a new year. There is something about school supplies, new shoes and clothes, and the slip back into a predictable routine that feels more like the start of something new than the actual start of a new calendar year ever does.
When I was a kid I loved school. It was my only means of escape from a home life that was less than ideal. I went to school sick just so I could get out of the house. I had perfect attendance every year until I got to high school (then came the boyfriend and the discovery that cutting class was fun). Summers were long and dull and I couldn't wait for them to be over. Funny, I still sort of feel that way as an adult.
My kids like school - they don't love it. I actually view that as a good thing. They like their home life and are not trying to get away from Larry and me. So, we must be doing something right as parents. That is important to me because it signifies that I have broken a destructive family pattern/dynamic.
So while the rest of the world is lamenting the pending closing of the pool, worrying about helping their kids with math homework they ave forgotten how to do, and cursing the return of DC traffic, I am celebrating. I celebrate the return of predictable routines, the packing of endless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and volunteering for the PTA. If you could see me now, you'd see me with my funny hat and noise maker heralding the arrival of yet another new year.
Happy New Year!
Peace.
