My family is laden with teachers. I am the "one that got away" per say, and ventured into the unsavory world of the arts with it's lack of dental benefits and a pension, but at least I get to see the world. Look out Skagway! Here I come! Anyway, in a family full of educators, the first day back to school is always an exciting one. I am somewhat strategically not home to assist with bulletin board preparation or pencil sharpening, but I was around to help both of my brothers when they started teaching. Ten years plus and I think they have all that down now. My sister-in-law is currently on maternity leave, and Mike is taking a year off for reasons that deserve their own blog. In short, I'm glad he is taking the time. It's well deserved, and it gives me the chance to have him tape all of my favourite shows and send them to me. (Hint hint, Mike! When are you getting a DVR?!)
I've gotten off topic and I haven't even started. This September is especially exciting as my niece Émilie will be starting school for the first time. She will be attending a French first-language school because she is smarter then, well, me. While she only speaks French to my brother Dennis, and even then it's rare, the fact that she can speak two and half languages, (she insists she speaks Czech if you ask her. My Dad speaks it to her and she understands most of it.) qualifies her as a genius to me. She has an amazing sense of Dlouhy-sarcasm, and can sing almost every lyric of any Disney soundtrack she has heard. She also does a mean version of Bad Romance by Lady GaGa, but that's just between her and I en route to Wal-mart. Again, I've strayed from the focus. I cannot believe that she will be hopping on a school bus in a mere 3 days and joining the world of education.
I remember my first day of school. All of them. Pre-Kindergarten: My Mom walked me there, and I remember walking in and seeing all of the activity centers. That's really all I remember. That kitchen set-up was amazing, and my size. Oh, and I had a beautiful pink towel for nap time, and my Mom wrote my name on it in big block letters. I remember looking back at the door and seeing my Mom's face, a big smile and wave, and then I was 14 and going to high school. It goes by so fast. I don't say that to sound wise, it really does. I still remember what I wore the first day of grade 9. Let's just say it was perhaps the best Smart Set had to offer that 1994 fall, but what was I thinking? My first day of grade 10 was the most uncomfortable due to the torso hugging plastic back brace I had to wear for the first month thanks to my back surgery. Nothing makes a teenager feel more confident then headgear and a back brace. My first day at Sheridan is still crystal clear. I walked into the G-wing at the top of the stairs leading down to the basement and was met by a lovely Asian looking girl running at me yelling "I'm Rochelle! Are you in my class?!" She then gave me a huge hug, and three years later we were graduating.
I hope Émilie has a blast on Tuesday. I hope a lot of things for her. I hope her teacher is kind and patient like the teachers in my family are. I hope the kids realize she is the coolest kid ever, and they are lucky to have her in their class. I hope she isn't shy and uses her Dlouhy charm on everyone. I hope the bus ride doesn't scare her, and that she finds a buddy on the bus to chat with. I hope she remembers how proud I am of her and how much I wish I could be there to pick her up and take her to Tim Hortons for a strawberry timbit. Most of all I hope Dennis and Christi-Anne remember to write her name on all of her stuff for her and avoid putting peanuts in her lunch box. We don't want any grandmothers complaining through a tracheotomy tube about anaphylactic shock. (Long story. Just trust me on this.)
So have fun E. Tuesday begins a long journey for you. But don't worry. Soon enough you'll be looking back wondering where it all went, and trying to figure out how to pay for your next dental check-up. Benefits are over rated. Trust me.
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