The semester has begun and life is back in full swing in my world. A week of classes, meetings and performance planning documents will drain the summer fun right out of you. I started the semester with a clean desk and new resolve - including being a more faithful blogger. A week later the desk is still clean, and this is my first post of the semester...let's see which one lasts the longest.
In my personal world this particular back to school season has been full of change and adjustment. The bonus child started middle school, the middle child left for boot camp and the perfectionist first born began her first career (and maybe her only, but not likely with this generation) as an elementary school teacher. All of this occurred within a single week. Yes, I survived it - with a little help from my friends Jose and Valium.
While all three of these events have been significant to me, surprisingly, the one that has impacted me the most profoundly is seeing my first born start her "real" life as an adult.
Much like Pinocchio longed to become a "real" boy, my first born has longed to start her "real" life, all while her father and I have encouraged her to relax and enjoy this fleeting moment in time when she has no "real" responsibilities.
Finally, it has begun. The child who slept until noon if uninterrupted now rises before 5 to get ready and be in her classroom at least a full hour before the students arrive. She comes home after sunset, full book bag on her arm and asks if she really has to discipline the kindergarten student who won't stay in his seat because he wants to give her a hug. She sings for us; songs that she has made up to teach the rules of her classroom, and tells us about the student who declared that her new teacher "wears me out" with the singing and dancing they do to learn the days of the week.
Is this the same little girl who used to play school with her baby brother? The shy child who would never speak in front of a group, much less sing? The confused college freshman who's majors changed with each week? It is hard to believe, but it is. Her first day of school at almost 22 seemed remarkably similar to her first day of school when she was 4 - exciting, exhilarating and a bit scary - but she has jumped into her "real" life with both feet and the enthusiasm that only a few are blessed to embrace, and it is a joy to witness.
