Back To School

Does anyone remember when??  Yes, when school was out before Memorial Day and didn't start until after Labor Day?  A kid had 3 months to play and just be a kid.  Of course that has changed with technology.  In those days, summer meant you were outside until dark and didn't even come in for a drink of water...you got it from the water hose outside.  If it was raining, you were in the basement where all you toys were stored.  The kids bedroom was for one thing....sleep and bedtime was 8:00 during school and late in the summer until you fell asleep on the living room floor.  Those good ole days...long gone.  Now its all about TV, laptops, cell phones or staying connected with your friends via tech instead of riding a bike over to their house.  Am I understanding now that the parents of today or letting their high school teenagers just do sports and nothing else?  NO summer job?  What?  I was cutting grass with my brother, Kevin, (Miss Him Dearly) when I was 12...and before then babysitting when I was 10 years old.  During school you were expected to get a part time job as soon as you could and keep your grades up.  I started at 15 with a work permit and stayed at the first job for 3 years until I graduated high school.  My  first car was picked  out by my father and I had to pay for the car and the insurance.   But even though I had all that going on; friends, Pom Pom Squad, 4.0 student Honor Roll, work...I made it thru just fine.  I believe that my parents taught me that whatever I wanted I had to work even when I had responsibilities with school.  It can be done.  Push your kids, challenge them to reach for the stars.  Dream BIG and never taken your parents for granted.  They will not be around forever kids...love them and HUG them everyday and let them know you appreciate all they do for you.  For one day, you will miss them and they will be in Heaven looking down upon you and cheering you on from afar.  And parents, do the same for your kids....for God may call them home early.