It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Several years ago Staples aired a great commercial. It showed parents going down the aisles joyfully putting school supplies in the cart to the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.“ It was a clever use of music and had us all humming a Christmas carol in August, which was annoying, but it stuck in our heads. It amused me to see those parents who were so happy at the thought of getting their kids back in school, while the kids were sadly shuffling behind them.

It is that Wonderful Time of the Year again and my sweet little angel starts 8th grade tomorrow. The bus (hopefully) will come pick her up at 6:40 am, and bring her back home around 3:00 pm. After we registered yesterday Alex and her friends were in a texting frenzy about their schedules and their teachers; comparing notes about what they’ve heard about who’s nice, who’s strict, who’s easy and who gives lots of homework. It makes me glad that I’m not a teacher. I’m paranoid enough without a bunch of teenagers texting about me behind my back.

It also makes me happy that there are people who are led to teach our kids. I have friends who fall into that category; wonderful women (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) who have been called to teach school. They take their calling very seriously and they care about their students. I know at least several, if not most, of these teachers know the name of every child in their school, and I have seen grown “kids” thrilled that these teachers still remember them long after they have graduated.

The definition of teach is: to impart knowledge or skill to somebody by instruction or example. Boy am I glad that there are those who can impart knowledge and skills to our children. I don’t have enough patience. When my daughter was young it was fun to teach her, she was anxious to learn, and she was compliant, plus she thought Mama knew everything - just the way I wanted. Unfortunately somewhere along the line things changed. Not only do I no longer know everything, I don’t know anything - afterall, she IS a teenager. Now the desire to learn has changed to the desire just to get by, and homework is done amidst great wailing and gnashing of teeth.

I don’t know how you teachers do it day after day. I know there are great rewards to reap from being a teacher, but I’m sure too that you are not thanked enough for all you do.

So, here’s to you teachers! I am indebted to you for having the patience that I lack. You inspire, love and influence our children and I’m grateful of the gifts you share. I pray that you each will have a blessed first day of school, and remember that you are appreciated.