The countdown has begun

Published 04-22-21

As I sit and type this column on Tuesday morning, a glance at the calendar... and the school calendar on my refrigerator, I realized that the official countdown has begun... Thirty days until school is out for the summer.

As I reflect back to a year ago, there was much uncertainty whether there would be a school year, even here in Tennessee. Thankfully, we live in one of the few places where Sam was able to experience his entire 8th grade year in person, albeit with masks and as much social distancing as teachers and administrators could enforce amongst middle schoolers.

Definitely a task easier said than done.

This spring there are more than a few differences. Disappointment about cancelled school plays and not seeing friends are a distant memory. Although there is still much teenage scheming to finagle hang outs and sleepovers... last year required more creativity for them to get together. And working out which outdoor activity they could all agree to since all of us parents were trying to figure out exactly what our lives would look like during and after COVID, while indoor visits were still discouraged.

Like our kids, everyone was more than a little stir crazy, and all reasonable ideas were allowed.

Even though Sam’s summer may have been limited, I choose to think that walks to the corner convenience store for candy and a soda, and morning bike rides with a pack of boys aren’t too bad of memories to have of a locked down spring.

This year, Sam is excited for the school’s Theatre Club spring production, and has almost daily reports of the saga of who’s in and who’s out as opening day approaches, a continuing drama that can only be encountered on a middle school campus.

I both giggle and shudder at the memories of my own junior high dramas.

Sam was excited to get his part... he will play a pirate captain in the production, which is a graded final for the high schoolers in theatre that are directing the show.

The kids are responsible for all of the production, from sets, to lighting and costumes... it’s all in their hands.

Fingers crossed all goes well, and that everyone involved will be be able to hear calls of “Break a leg!” in just a few weeks.

•••

The calendar wasn’t the only reason for the end of the school year countdown, as Sam came home from school last week with a packet of papers for me to look over and sign for his class schedule for high school next year.

HIGH SCHOOL.

After keeping it together while he and I discussed the merits of a fine art track in high school; a curriculum that includes band, theatre and a multitude of art classes both traditional and digital in addition to the regular classes of math, English and science; I went to my room and swallowed a case of the vapors that Sam was going to be a freshman in a few short months.

I tried to work out when, precisely, this happened, and realized probably right around the same time I woke up and found myself middle aged.

With my signature on the dotted line for approval, I have a feeling my life is going to get busier next year as Samuel enjoys all that high school has to offer.

As long as that experience includes passing grades and no missing homework, I probably won’t complain too much.

Well, maybe just enough to let him know I care.

•••

One of the better parts of our quiet Tennessee town (and unexpected if I’m completely honest) is the dedication and spotlight on art in all its forms.

Having a son who loves to be on stage and doodles on every scrap of paper he can get his hands on, finding a place that mixed those interests with the quiet, rural property Vince and I were looking for was not the easiest task.

But we found a place where it all clicks together.

Part of that has to do with moving to a college town. Different avenues open up for creativity when there is a local driver such as a state university. Living in a state that helped birth country music and the blues can’t hurt.

It filters through the community, and in our schools as well.

And while it’s not Friday Night Football in the South, broadcast on local radio, our first NWTN Arts Festival brought out a large crowd on a misty Saturday to celebrate local music, dance, acting and an exhibition of art from the school district’s county wide art contest... not to mention its own on location radio broadcast.

Sam won a ribbon for a 3D printed mask that was helped in it’s creation by cousin Devin on Sam’s last trip to California and decorated with paint he got with Uncle Danny... having his name announced during the show was an extra bonus to seeing his mask displayed publicly with his name on the card next to it.

My proud mom moment got to expand through the family ranks this time around, as Sam made phone calls back home after the show to spread the news and say thank you to all involved.

It was wonderful to spend an afternoon with Sam appreciating the artistic talents in our little corner of Tennessee.