It is hard to believe that summer will be over and our children are gearing up to go back to school later this month. I remember the first day of school while growing uo. It was exciting and sad at the same time. New clothes and all the new pencils, mote books, pencil cases, new lunch box and most important of all – new shoes.
We were excited to see all our friends again. We looked forward to learning new things. Usually our first assignment was to tell what we did over the summer. I belonged to 4-H, so the County Fair was fresh on my mind and wrote all about competing in the cherry pie baking contest and presenting a demonstration on sewing.
Fair time in a farming community is what most of us spent our summer working toward. Many kids raised animals and spent time feeding, training and practicing showmanship with the animals. Gardening was also important. Showing our garden products we raised to compete for the best of show. Canning of fruits and vegetables was also a big part of the competition. Canning is now pretty much a lost art.
Times have changed, but smaller communities still have the tradition of competition at the local and state fairs. Competition is an important part of growing up. Learning to accept success as well as not making the best of a category.
Summer vacation was another topic many children wrote about in their first assignment. Many families traveled every summer on the family vacation. Some would travel to spend time with relatives, meeting cousins, having picnics in popular places like Disneyland, Yellowstone and National Parks across the country. Other vacations were spent fishing in the lake by the cummer cabin, camping in the mountains and spending time on beaches by the ocean.
After the first week back at school, it was time to get down to brass tacks and work at reading, learning the proper use of English, studying arithmetic, spelling, geography and learning different facets of art. However, recess was the most important part of the day. Recess is a time to let off steam and energize the heart and lungs.
Later, sports and school pride for the older children in the community. Games played between towns and counties throughout the state become important and many lessons are learned. Character building lessons like discipline, leadership, decisions on the spur of the moment and conditioning of the body.
School opens many opportunities to grow and become a better person. Will you always succeed? Probably not always, but I learned that persistence is a powerful tool. Stay focused on what you want your future to look like and make it happen.
So, back to school this year girls and boys and do your best. Learn, grow and challenge yourself. You can do it and do it well. There is nothing to stop you from being the best in class, in sports and in life.
