Sunday, August 21, 2011

This Post has no Title

Pin It I fought my way through the depths of Walmart on Saturday evening.

Moving through the school supply aisles was like trying to claw my way out of the seventh level of Dante’s Inferno; there were melees of carts careening in all directions. Sets of beleaguered parents consulted with school lists as their confused children blocked the walkways like the buffalo in Yellowstone National Park. The shelves around them looked like war-ravaged aftermath—or something comparable to the Los Angeles looting during the riots of 1992.

I felt relieved that I didn’t give out class supply lists, but rather furnished my students with the basic necessities they’d need for the school year: glasses of water and crusts of bread.

Of course, I know that to some parents this is a rite of passage into the new year: buying the newest morphed generation of the Trapper Keeper and the retro Casio calculator watch which is as much a sentimental journey for themselves as a supply run for their offspring.

However, who am I to stop the forward ambling of progress?

I dodged down a few deserted aisles and was able to pick up my various and sundry items—rather quickly I might add—and within the space of another 10 minutes or so, I fled the store to the safety of my vehicle. I shut the door and settled back in the driver’s seat with the feeling like I’d just escaped from drowning,

I should have waited until midnight…

Today came—and went—rather quickly I might add, bringing with it the ominous realization that tomorrow, yet another school year would begin.

School.

I’d thought I was done with the major preparations before the tidal wave of students would arrive on the morrow; however, after a slew of thought I realized that there was still so much yet to be done.

Fast-forward some 9 or so hours later to where I stumbled out of my classroom just minutes before the alarm system armed itself, with my eyes glassy and a feeling of being completely and utterly worn out.

I slumped in my car and drove toward home, the miles of road stretching before me as I listened to the silence.

It sounded nice.

Tomorrow will come. I wonder tonight if sleep will evade me; it seems that it always does this time of year. Chances are I will lie there and think about my students…I will wonder about them as they spend their last few hours either in giddy anticipation or in downcast hesitancy of the new school year and the death of their old friend, summertime.

Will they be sleeping soundly tonight? Will they awaken with that selfsame feeling of newness that the first day of school seemed to always bring for me when was a kid?

I read over an email or two, wrote this post, and then I readied to close my computer for the evening. Before shutting down I decided to check Facebook; I saw that a message had been sent to my Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living page.

It was a photograph from Megan Wade.


I stared for a few moments at the image filling my screen, all the while the neurons in my brain made their connections in regard to what it all meant…and then I started to laugh, my energy slowly returning.

Tomorrow will come, and I’m so ready to meet you, Joey. I’m excited to start our educational journey, and to begin our plethora of adventures together…

26 comments:

Tracy P. said...

I quit teaching 12 years ago when my son was born, but I still have back to school dreams, where the kids come and I'm not ready. I'm sure you are ready, Teach. May you rest well! Blessings on your year!

Just SO said...

I also have a hard time sleeping the night before schools starts. I always have. I wonder what it will be like when I have no one starting school?

I can't wait to meet Joey either.

Laura said...

Good luck for the first day!

Heidi said...

Have a great first day of school, Mr.Z! I think it will be pretty much awesome. :) Those kids are gonna have a great year learning from someone as caring (and entertaining) as you!:)

Mindee@ourfrontdoor said...

It will be great. Ours started last week and the kids were SO good that first day. Now by day four things were a little bit different.:)

BTW, our school district buys ALL school supplies for elementary kids. The theory is that it's discriminatory to put out a list that not everyone can afford. It has always seemed weird to me to send my kids off on the first day without a brand new pack of crayons.

K.J. said...

Good Luck with the first day back at school! You are an amazing teacher! Your students don't know just how lucky they are to be in your class...I am sure they will realise it tomorrow! Hope you have a fabulous year!

Jason, as himself said...

This all sounds highly familiar. In fact, it all just happened to me last week!

Have a great year, Teach.

Unknown said...

I hope it goes well for you tomorrow! Totally praying for you. I am like the worst mom ever because I can't find that silly supply list any where. Seriously. I am just going to shove some new pencils and some notebooks in his backpack from last year and hope he survives!

Mindy said...

Good luck as your journey through a new school year begins. I am sure you'll wow them with your wit, impress them with your intellect and lead them through the labyrinth of 5th grade. Have a great year! :)

CB said...

LOVE the Joey's HOuse sign - could that be more perfect!!

I remember never being able to sleep the night before school started - I never even thought about that happening to teachers.

I hope you have a ball tomorrow!!

Stephani Cochran said...

Great post. The last two lines made me smile as I read about "Joey" even though I've only begun to get to know him in the last few weeks. And I can totally relate to Wal Mart. I just don't go there. It's too scary! School starts for me tomorrow also. I have a new office that is now located right amongst the students rather than in an administration building. My office is in a classroom building hallway surrounded by about 6 classrooms. The students have always had to come across campus to get to me, now I am amongst them as they go to and from classes. I'm anxious to see what this new environment will be like. It's been quiet since I moved in at the end of June, but now there will be several hundred university students buzzing around the building beginning at 8:00 am. ~ I better get to bed!

Karen M. Peterson said...

I bet most of your kids are lying awake tonight, giddy with the knowledge that they are the chosen few who get to be in Mr. Z's class.

Have a great school year!

Miss K said...

I too will probably not get much sleep tonight... the week before school I always have weird dreams like my classroom being completely empty and devoid of all the things I've just spent weeks putting up on the walls, my tables being exchanged for desks, etc.

I too usually buy all the supplies for my students, although this year we sent out a supply list school wide, it will be interesting to see what shows up.

Good Luck tomorrow... I can't wait to read about it!

Pumpkin Delight (Kimberly) said...

A new year always brings hope and fear, and SO MUCH TO DO!
We started last week. Good luck to you on your first day back!

Lydia said...

Comparing shopping Walmart during the day to Dante's Inferno sounds just about right. If I ever go, it is usually around midnight.

Best of luck with the new year and give Joey a high five for me.

mamahasspoken said...

Any time at the Walmart in my area is time in Dante's inferno.
Here's to a smooth first day with everyone having lunch money, knowing how they are getting home after school, and they already have all the nessesary paper work and fees handle.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

I wonder what Joey has in store for you teach?! Keep your eyes and ears at attention....:-)

Gerb said...

Cowgirl could hardly sleep last night, either. When asked why, she said, "I'm going to be in Mr. Z's class tomorrow!" Happy new school year!

Holly said...

One of my neighbors also commented on the craziness of Walmart on Saturday. This time of year and during the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas I only visit Walmart very late at night or very early in the morning if such a trek is unavoidable!
Good luck today! May sleep come easier once Day 1 concludes!

tammy said...

Besides my boys, you're probably the only other person I look forward to hearing how their school year is going. Hope it's a great one!

4 Lettre Words said...

This is one of the best things I've ever read. XO!

Fragrant Liar said...

Hope your first day back in the saddle is a good one. I, for one, am glad I don't have to deal with that stuff anymore. But it's nice to observe from afar.

Connie said...

Those lucky kids are going to have a fun ride this year!

Emmy said...

I hope this is a wonderful school year for you. Can't wait to hear all about your new Joey

mCat said...

That picture just made my day! Can't wait for all the new adventures that I am going to experience THROUGH you!

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

How is it that yall got out so much earlier than us and are starting on the same day we did?! Lucky.

I hope you're having a good week and the kids aren't too bloated with the water and bread.

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