We have been training for this day for three weeks. "30-07-26. Right-Left-Right. Do it again. And again...and one more time. What's your combination? What's your locker number?" We did the schedule run through a dozen times; clocking how long it will take to get from the locker to each classroom. We practiced this first day of school thing a million times and still this morning was a chaotic mess. He was late for the bus. He forgot his glasses. He used the right combination on the wrong locker and was late to his first class. This morning was exactly what the first day of Middle School is supposed to be.
I am a father, husband, uncle and chess coach. These are four of my favorite titles. However, fathering is an obsession for me. My son's school has always been "our place." PTA meetings, fundraisers, class parties, literacy nights, field trips, and after school Chess Club, of course, I'm there! So, quite naturally, the first day of school is an event for the entire family. Today is the kick off to another year of impossible challenges that always seem to become possible as time passes.
Just like the first move in the game of Chess. I always anticipate a great battle with hard losses, tough decisions and sacrifices. Yet, as the game progresses, the patterns appear and the logic prevails. One usually finds a rhythm that helps him make the tough choices and keep things moving towards the goal.
As I stood in the hall helping my son open the right locker, I look around for a moment and realize that there were several parents having similar challenges with their new middle schoolers. I paused and inhaled the moment. As my son ran off to class, I helped a few other kids open their lockers, "right-left-right" before I proudly left the building. I'm sure, the boy will remember his glasses tomorrow. He will get to the bus stop on time. And soon, he will learn how to open his locker in a reasonable period of time. I trust that we will find our rhythm soon.
Congrats to all the dad's who walked, drove or followed your kids bus to school like me today.
I am a father, husband, uncle and chess coach. These are four of my favorite titles. However, fathering is an obsession for me. My son's school has always been "our place." PTA meetings, fundraisers, class parties, literacy nights, field trips, and after school Chess Club, of course, I'm there! So, quite naturally, the first day of school is an event for the entire family. Today is the kick off to another year of impossible challenges that always seem to become possible as time passes.
Just like the first move in the game of Chess. I always anticipate a great battle with hard losses, tough decisions and sacrifices. Yet, as the game progresses, the patterns appear and the logic prevails. One usually finds a rhythm that helps him make the tough choices and keep things moving towards the goal.
As I stood in the hall helping my son open the right locker, I look around for a moment and realize that there were several parents having similar challenges with their new middle schoolers. I paused and inhaled the moment. As my son ran off to class, I helped a few other kids open their lockers, "right-left-right" before I proudly left the building. I'm sure, the boy will remember his glasses tomorrow. He will get to the bus stop on time. And soon, he will learn how to open his locker in a reasonable period of time. I trust that we will find our rhythm soon.
Congrats to all the dad's who walked, drove or followed your kids bus to school like me today.
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