Today the real fun begins!

Yesterday was meetings, the politics of school nursing.

Learning about the change in policies, change in laws.

Assignments and nursing check-offs.

Boring things that have to be done.

Today the real fun begins.

Today little girls come with their fresh new uniforms

and their new haircuts sporting many braids sometimes

but always bright barrettes and headbands.

Boys will be showing off their new shoes

and fighting with me the fact that their new jackets

are a fashion statement and they can wear them at recess

even if it is 100 degrees outside.

Teachers will have their Sunday best and today they

will be excited and full of smiles for the new children

they are blessed to teach.

School supplies will be new so the students, today,

will have what they need. If they don't

our trusty guidance counselor will make sure they get

it without any other children knowing that theirs

were given to them by school.

Today all children will have a chance to eat

and a chance to feel that they have the opportunity to

be whatever they choose to be.

There will be those few who have first-grade fever

and just know that this change from playing and fun in Kindergarten

to sitting in a desk and learning has to be a mistake.

On the first day of school

bright, positive thoughts are found all over our parish schools.

May God help us to carry this through the whole year

or at least Thanksgiving vacation.

Wishing all my great nieces, nephews, and godchildren

a wonderful first day of school

and that the wonders of an education has you excited

this morning also.