First Day of School

Ah - the first day of school. There is nothing like the smell of new notebooks and paper. I enjoyed going to school when I was a kid, and my youngest daughter does as well. I'm a little sad this morning because she started her senior year today. I'll get to have her home for one more year before she is off to college.

I know, I know, some of you can't believe the Mercer County School system is already back in session, but this is one parent who loves it. Because we follow what some people call "the all-year school calendar," we start earlier in the fall and get out earlier in the spring. We are also scheduled 2 weeks off at Christmas and 2 weeks for Spring Break, but that's not the reason I love it.

I LOVE the 2 weeks we get off in October! October has always been my favorite month and being able to enjoy this great month with my family has been great. Our family doesn't take a summer vacation - too hot, too crowded, too expensive - but we do travel in October. The weather is cooler, the crowds are less and the prices are considerably cheaper.

This will be the last time I have a child starting in high school. After almost 27 years with a house full of children, my nest is feeling emptier and emptier. I had 3 weeks this summer of full-blown empty nest syndrome and I am not looking forward to having this ailment permanently.

But I know it must come - it is time to untether the leash and unclip the wings. It is time to let my baby bird start soloing around the nest and continue to let God guide her course.