While my youngest child’s last time to celebrate the first day of a new school year, not counting college, was in 1994 as a high school senior, sentimentality reigns supreme for me each year when summer vacation ends and kids return to school. Early morning walks in my neighborhood provide glimpses of students walking out their front doors, with backpacks, books, and for older kids, often a cell phone. The youngsters all look very young to me, and I realize my kids did also to neighbors seeing them in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. What once seemed like throngs of youngsters walking to and from grade school have become a much smaller group. Probably because homeowners, like my husband and me, so enjoy where we live that we’ve stayed put through the years.

I can even remember my own first days of school. Falling asleep the night before was very difficult, accompanied by much apprehension on my part about who my teacher would be, how the year would unfold, who I’d sit next to in class, and whether I’d like school. Self-confidence was notably absent in my persona and I spent considerable time and effort hoping and praying all would go well. (I was middle age or more before truly realizing most children felt similarly. Some kids, like some adults, can better camouflage their feelings of awkwardness or inadequacy. I would have felt more confident during childhood and adolescence had I understood that. A believer of “better late than never” mentality, I’m grateful to have finally acquired such wisdom.)

Now my grandchildren are going to school and my sentiments complement their excitement. If they’re uneasy about details, it doesn’t show. Perhaps they are in the group who can better reflect confidence. I hope so as it will make their life easier. Not simple, but less worrisome.

Whether actively involved in back-to-school shopping and preparations or leaning on the sidelines reminiscing, the notion that summer flew by seems universal. Every year is the thought, sometimes even regret, that I didn’t picnic more or spend more time outside enjoying sunshine and flowers. Even with poignant reminders that life is very uncertain in its duration, we take tomorrow for granted. Except one day it won’t arrive. My dear friend, Maxine, talked to her daughter on a Tuesday evening with all seemingly well, but Maxine died sometime during the night or early morning. We don’t necessarily receive advance warning so we must be vigilant about making days count in ways that are good for us individually and also for our loved ones.

The beginning of the school year also signals the end of summer. Not officially, of course, as autumn doesn’t happen until September 22nd, but in a more practical sense, summer is definitely on its way out. Darkness begins noticeably earlier in the evening, and early morning risers must wait longer for the sunrise. But much beauty and charm remain in the calendar year. Vivid colors, crispness in the air, bonfires, pumpkin pie, Halloween, and the faster-than-we-planned transition into the holiday season all invite our participation.

Let’s enjoy, celebrate, and always remember, whatever our age, life is a classroom where we can all learn the lessons of each day and share our wisdom to enrich others’ lives and our own.