The Night Before School

One of my favorite days (and nights) was the one just before a brand new school year.  I remember a little about each year, even kindergarten.  We were always still at the lake so the bus wasn't a factor till mid October.  Of course, we had the new clothes, the new sneakers, new underwear and the new supplies.  Supplies were nothing and I mean nothing like what is mandatory today. A pencil or two, a Bic pen, crayons and maybe a composition notebook.  In high school we had to have combination locks for our gym lockers.  I never quite understood that. Who, in their right mind, would want to steal our gym suits...yep, they were pretty bad....one piece, royal blue with snaps. I believe that 7th grade was the beginning of my recurring "nightmare" of not being able to find my locker and then not remembering the combination. That dream was as regular as prune juice at Grandma's for SIX long years, but, back to first day eve.  There was never a bedtime confrontation.  The final decision was made on the outfit, it was laid neatly on the chair with shoes and socks placed on the floor below.  A fireman couldn't have been more proud or more ready to jump into this outfit at the sound of an alarm.  Nine hours of fitful sleep and that alarm would ring.  Breakfast was on the table and then it was time..... The annual first day of school photos. We were clean, coiffed and complacent.  Each year, with the lake in the background we smiled our biggest smiles. Even through the teeth straightening years, we braced for flashbulbs, Instamatics and Polaroids.  Being taught well and being the apple (for the teacher) that didn't fall far from the tree, my kids endured the same ritual.  The bottom step on the staircase showed their growth spurts, hairstyle changes and even blossoming personalities.  I occasionally allowed them to pick out their outfits (at least they believed it was their choice!)  They routinely balked at the ritual but enjoyed it nonetheless and now they love reminiscing.

So tonight will be early to bed for Generation B.  New clothes laid out, hairstyle chosen, backpack loaded and 2nd grade on the horizon.  Grandma will be there bright and early with camera(s) in hand and a tear in her eye.  The annual spot is blooming and ready with colorful roses of Fuzzy... (It's actually a Rose of Sharon bush but faithful Fuzzy the hamster was laid to rest (and fertilize) there! 

Only one more sleep and the learning and fun begins again.  Those were the days!