Saturday, August 9, 2008

pens, pencils and a pretty pink backpack

The little girl turned the corner and exclaimed, "Look mom. Isn't this backpack bee-oo-tee-ful!? IT'S THE ONE!"

I was in the school supply section in my local Target. Not only was this little girl wearing a pretty pink backpack dotted with little ponies, but an ear to ear grin as she communicated to her mom that she had found the perfect backpack for the new school year. It melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

Years of memories flooded my senses. How many times had I visited this section of the store at the beginning of each school year? With checklist in hand, I and my two eager soon-to-be students would scour each shelf and rack for every item on the list, plus more.

Danielle always found more than what was required. From a very early age, she had a love of pens and folders and highlighters and notebooks and everything the school supplies aisles could hold. She still has it today. She can't leave a store of this sort without oohing over the pencils and aahing over the pens.

As I watched all the mothers with their lists and a multitude of kids loading up on Hannah Montana folders or Transformers notebooks, I relived my time in those seasonal aisles with fond memories but was also grateful for the fact that my time there was over and done.

That was Thursday. Today Danielle and I ran to Target for some birthday gifts. After picking up our items in the electronics department and browsing through purses and clothing, Danielle says, "let's go back to school supplies."

And we did.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It seems like a lifetime ago for me now. I always loved buying the new school supplies for my girls, but they seemed to always fight or get upset if they couldn't get just the right stuff. It was such a huge decision time.

This is one shopping trip I really don't miss.

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Oh your daughter and I would get along splendidly! I love school supplies....guess that is why my destiny was a teacher in middle school, and now a homeschool mom ;)

Lynne said...

I love school supplies!!! I have a niece whose birthday is in August and you can guess what part of her birthday present is.

Momma Roar said...

LOL!! Sounds like she likes to remember those times too! :)

Jamey said...

Very sweet. I still love pens and pencils. The school supply shopping trip is such a pain in the butt....BUT I know that it will be over all too soon. So I TRY to go into those aisles with a good attitude and a smile:) I am glad to say that we are done with it for this year and it wasn't all that bad!

Anonymous said...

Why is that it is always with you no matter how old you are? Even at my desk I need to have the right supplies. Well. . it's nice to have the cute things, (pens, to put in a cute coffee mug) pictures of my cats etc...

Short Stop said...

I am doomed.

I started crying as I read this post...

Jack starts pre-K this fall. I found the perfect backpack for him and couldn't hold it together as I stood there looking at it. And, I couldn't bring myself to buy it...I think I need a few more weeks to adjust to the idea of waving goodbye to him.

I love reading about your relationship with Danielle! :)

MightyMom said...

I go down the aisle all the time.

boys just aren't old enough for all that yet...but we'll get there.

Melissa said...

We're still in the thick of things! I do love the school supply items and usually have to tell myself to put things down before I check out :)