I've got the back to school blues and I'm not even headed back to school. I confess that even as a non-school-attending adult, it still crushes my heart to see those banners and ads go up every summer's end about your nearest "Back to School Sale". I'm a firm believer in enjoying every moment given to us, as you know, and the summer season is one of those that is very dear to me. Especially the end of summer when the evening light is so golden, the grass is parched, and the nights start to get a bit cooler.
That said, I do have a back to school tradition that I love. I haven't been a student for a number of years now, but L is starting a graduate program today so I have been thinking about "back to school" and my mixed feelings about it. It is certainly bitter sweet, which is why I like having the following tradition to brighten the moment: The first day of school photo. My parents insisted on taking one of me every year as I headed out the door with my still empty backpack and brand new blazingly white sneakers. I hated it then, but somehow by the time I started college I came to love that moment. So much so that my college roommate and I did whole photo shoots of ourselves headed back to classes each fall. We made sure to make them really shmaltzy -- since they inherently are. We often used the autumn-touched lake as a back drop, and clasped our hands under our chins as an homage to the cheezy official class photos we had been forced to take in elementary school. The difference being that these were fun and goofy and we took them because we wanted to.
Whether by choice or not, these photos now provide me with a cross section of the years as they have passed: the change in fashions, hair length, braces to retainer to perfect smile, backpack to shoulder bag, child to young adult. Sometimes it is good to reflect on who you were. It may help you get to who you want to be.
And besides, as an adult who doesn't want to pose in front of the door with a brand new backpack to capture the moment of setting out on a new adventure?
Hey, that's my kid there, thanks for using his pic and giving me credit. That's one of my favorite pictures of him.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute to hear the story of this little kid. It just reminded me about my ancient school days though i do not remember my first day at school now.
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