Back to School

School Daze
As I was walking through the different streets of my neighborhood this morning I started to notice all the cameras and the parents walking away, empty-handed, from school. Now that my kids are grown, the first week of September doesn't take on the same significance as it had in the past. I started to reflect on all those drop-offs. Even on the first day of pre-school my kids didn't turn around once they were led into the classroom. No tears, no hanging on to my leg, no yells or screaming. Nothing. Complete nonchalance. As I looked around at the other parents - with their kids crying, screaming - I remember feeling embarrassed that my kids seemed to float into the classroom. Nary a wave or a tear. I consoled myself with the thought that I had raised self-sufficient, confident children who who emotionally ready to conquer their next frontier - Pre-K. I was lucky I was able to take a quick photo before they were led away. Climbing back into the car, without having to snap someone into a child's seat, was the hardest part. Driving away, knowing I had 2 1/2 hours of freedom didn't measure up all the time. It usually meant a quick bowl of cereal as I watched Regis and Kathy Lee, cleaned the kitchen, threw in wash and hurried through other mundane household chores. Hey, it's 11am already - where does the time go?