September 6th, 2017

4th, 7th and 11th.

As I was enjoying all the back-to-school fb photos from my perch in the far reaches of the WMS parking lot--my usual spot for waiting out the inevitable drop-off bottle neck--I happened to look up and see a very tender thing unfolding in front of me: A mother standing next to her car with her daughter, brushing then parting then braiding her daughter's hair.

All of the hypothetical challenges, words, work, anxieties, laughter, tears, and other details that led to this scene were obviously unknown to me, and there's a good chance the Mom and/or daughter were not feeling the moment in nearly the same way I was. But for me, it was a sweet sign of all that back-to-school can be. It's the beginning of something fresh. There are expectations, intentions and hopes for something really special to happen. So I sent up a little prayer, right there in the parking lot: That our children would be kind to each other. That they would reach out and grab what's waiting for them. That their teachers would feel inspired, energized, and supported. And that their parents/people would feel ready for it all, clear and confident as they face whatever's next.

I think it's going to be great. Happy first day back!