~ Walker Percy
Remember your first day of school? Were you so excited you couldn't sleep the night before? Did you have your outfit picked out a week before school started? Were you nervous, afraid you weren't going to make friends or know where you were supposed to go? Think about all of those different emotions you felt on your first day of school - you may be thinking about elementary school, middle school, high school, or even college! I am guilty of emotions like that EVERY first day of school I experienced. Even in college. My friends always laughed at me because I always went to each building the night before classes started to make sure I knew exactly what room I was supposed to be in for each class I was taking.
Today was the first day of school for many students. Parents walked younger children into their classrooms and swallowed back tears as they walked out of the building. Seventh and eighth graders exchanged summer stories. Excitement filled the high school halls as lockers slammed and bells rang. And the incoming freshman experienced their first class on the college campus.
A LOT of learning happens in all of these types of school settings... but so much more than what comes from the textbooks. Students (and teachers) are taught life lessons: how to work hard, responsibility, kindness, how to maintain a routine, respect, how to treat others.
I hope no one sat by themselves at lunch in the cafeteria and I hope everyone had someone to play with at recess. I hope no one was made fun of for their braces and I hope no one was teased about the kind of shoes they were wearing. I hope no one was bullied and I hope that if someone was, someone else stood up for them.
Remind your kids and remember this yourselves : it is HARD growing up in today's world. It is more important now than ever to love and be kind to everyone, no matter their background, race, sexual orientation, economic status or appearance.
Today's Starfish
A very special friend of mine had her first day of first grade today. The starfish for today was to talk to her on the phone to hear about her day - she did some math, made music with her hands, played outside, made new friends, wore a cool new outfit (along with an awesome hat seen below!) and has her very own desk! It was very cool to hear how excited she was about her first day of school and I wish Brantley an awesome year at first grade!!
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