Fall Break

This long weekend is Fall Break for Knox County Schools.

Students, teachers, staff and administrators have all been working hard this first eight weeks. The break is much-deserved and well-timed.

The notion of fall break must be a relatively new concept in terms of the public school calendar. I don’t remember anything of the sort from my school days – maybe a day off here or there when the teachers had in-service training. Then, of course, we got our first taste of fall break when we got to college.

But these days, it is circled on the calendar and celebrated by texts and tweets as teens and tots enjoy taking a break from their regular routine.

It has been my experience, though, that the school system and the University of Tennessee (where Lisa works) do not usually line up their breaks. So, for example, Lisa had her fall break nearly a month ago (ditto for Holly, a junior majoring in journalism at UT). For us, that means it is difficult to plan a getaway. And now with full and frantic schedules, it is virtually impossible anyway.

So while the work goes on for us, Paul is sleeping in; then hanging out with his pals.  Others around town travel to great destinations for an autumn getaway. My folks are at the beach this weekend; my sister’s girls are off with their paternal grandparents. I know one family whose the teen travelled with buddies to the beach.

In some past years, we have been able to schedule an October getaway. I remember in 2007, we planned a trip to North Carolina to see my friend Ed Greene and his family and to enjoy some time at Stone Mountain State park.

Two years later, we were back in NC, but that time it was for the U2 360 concert in Raleigh (though we did do a quick stop to have lunch with Ed and crew).

Though we haven’t always been able to take fall trips, we have had a number of amazing family adventures over the years – including those two NC trips. We’ve really been blessed in that way and I think we’ve been able to make some great family memories over the years doing so be it during the summer, at spring break or even in the winter.

I think when I look back on our parenting years, the family trips will be one of my favorite highlights. We have seen some great sights, travelled to some great destinations and spent special time together.

So, I don’t mind sitting out this break. Paul will work on his Governor’s School application and continue to hang out with his friends. Holly has some plans, too, and I know she’ll be working some at her part-time job at Archer’s BBQ. Lisa had a busy week, so I know she’s looking forward to a restful weekend.

As for me, there will be a few household projects I will tackle this weekend (and maybe I’ll watch some football tackles on t.v.). More than anything, I’ll just enjoy spending the special time with my family.

I can do that whether I’m in the mountains, at the beach or just spending time at home.

JG

Originally posted 10/15/2011