3 innocent words on their own


Yet when spoken together,
Back To School can evoke the most frightening spectrum of emotions.



For empty-nest retirees like my husband and myself,

Back To School

means we have the freedom to hit the open roads,

travelling far and wide


– or just catch an afternoon matinee –

without the crush of people.


For teachers, bus drivers, crossing guards, cafeteria workers

– and the many other people involved in the education of our next generation –

Back To School simply means Back To Work.





For parents,
Back To School
means back to a routine
– back from holidays – or back to a little peace and quiet for those who work at home.



And of course for our “little darlings”,

Back To School means the start of a very long and hard winter prison sentence.









I have to admit I always loved school.
Back To School for me meant


New toys to “play” with


New ideas to tackle and master


A new chance to improve on what I already knew.


As I got older, and the subjects got more challenging,

Back to School meant new and more tangible rewards for mastering the task at hand.




And much to my delight,
I have learned that you really can teach old dogs new tricks.
So there is no age limit on going Back to School




But if you hadn’t started planning early for advanced education,
Back to School also means back to amassing more debt to pay for it for too many young people today.


Wherever you fall on the “Back To School” spectrum of emotions,
I hope you value your education,
and will take a moment to thank the educators who touch the lives of you or your children.

Have a Great New School Year!