Vacuumusing…

Promises, promises

By Tara Williams

To me, there are few things more exciting than an empty spiral bound notebook; pair that with a pack of new pens and, my goodness, the possibilities are endless! I love this time of year…an abundant selection of school supplies in every store, a clean slate of potential stretched out in front of me. It doesn’t get much better.
Maybe it’s because I seem to have perpetually been either a student myself or the parent of a student that my new year’s resolutions come not in January but in August, with the beginning of a new school year.
I can recall writing my name in each clean, crisp notebook and carefully wrapping each textbook in custom book covers (typically left over paper grocery sacks decorated with colorful marker-drawn designs). With each preparatory task, I would resolve to be more organized, take meticulous notes, do all of my homework at home, rather than rushing through it in class—and so many more heartfelt promises to make the upcoming school year run more smoothly than the last. Of course, like most new year’s resolutions, a couple weeks into the year, these resolutions would dim in the shadow of a hectic schedule.
As a parent, my resolutions look a little different but are born of the same spirit. I vow to do all I can to make this new year even better than the last. I resolve to get up each morning to be sure everyone has a healthy breakfast. I will stay on top of homework, helping whenever and however I am needed—maybe even when I’m not needed. I will make sure that our family sits down together for a home-cooked dinner at our kitchen table at least four nights a week. I will be sure all permission slips are signed on time and projects are completed well before their due dates.
Yes, now that I’m a parent, my resolutions are a bit different, except for one: I resolve to be more organized. That resolution remains the same every year, without fail. Unfortunately, I’m sure I can count on another similarity between my industrious student resolutions and my supportive parental ones: A few weeks into the new year, these promises will be pushed aside in the chaos of football games, after-school activities and a hectic schedule…until next year, when we have the chance to start all over again.