Up, Down and Around Our Town

With the start of school looming, the ritual takes me back. For a couple of reasons this year, but nevertheless, for all of the right angles. Many of my generation will remember that one of the first tasks, if not truly the first, when we returned to school was that someone was going to ask us to write the essay "what I did this summer". It may seem trite in today's world, but it does have its value. So, I took this idea and decided to develop it this week. After all, it is relevant and certainly reflects a summer that will go down as one not to be forgotten. And, while I don't want to revisit it all, there are certain landmarks that will shape the rest of our lives. For that reason, it may be good reading. You decide.

As most know, our anticipation of the arrival of our newest hero had been coming for a long time and the challenges, some of which we knew and some we didn't, were being researched. Regardless, the end of the spring school schedule and beginning of the summer offered lots of things to consider.

I went back to Kindergarten in May, alongside my grandson Wilson. And, like the previous Kindergarten experience, both personally and with my two daughters, things had changed. And luckily, I had a 6 year old to guide me. Which door to use, what backpack was to be worn and which gym shoes were appropriate for indoor and/or outdoor use. I learned to anticipate the rousing welcome of the security guard, Jim Vandament and watched the excitement that only a 6 year old can muster as he enters that world.

The arrival of our newest hero brought 24 days of uncertainty simply due to the distance. Some family here, some in St. Louis at Childrens Hospital. But the opportunities were endless. Watching the ebb and flow of this tough little girl was marvelous and throw in a couple of impromptu visits to the St. Louis Zoo and you end up with a mixture that couldn't be matched in any novel. We enjoyed it all and couldn't wait for some calm water.

And speaking of water, we had our share. The Great Floods of 2008 lived up to their expectations. Rising water from the north put our area in a state of emergency that, sadly, we had seen just fifteen years ago. The sense of community was never more seen that in the Tri-State area and with one exception north of town, the area ended up with a flood status quo. We even got to play in the sand and filled sandbags to protect the areas in Canton as that community came together as well.

We watched politicians come and go as well as the national media. Got a chance to go back on the air with good friend Jeff Dorsey for a week and we got to be reunited with old friend Harry Smith of CBS News. Certainly not expected, but most worthy.

With flood waters going down, there was a sense of normal. Vacations were curtailed for a number of reasons, especially with gas at $4. So, you pick and choose and rather than head to the Unfriendly Skies, we decided to deadhead our way back to the East to reunite with family and friends. A stop in Plymouth, Indiana proved to be a worthy starting point as great friends that stretch 40 years all came together to be with each other and that experience was priceless.

The Blue Highways and the Interstates occupied much of our summer. The former is just a treat and time was the key. To be able to take a few of the 2-lane roads through an America that most of now never see was worth everything. From the roadside stands to the private eateries in every town, the sights and sounds at 55 MPH as opposed to 80 were tremendous. The grapes in Western New York have never looked better and the weather was spectacular.

Visits with family and friends and a swim in a Catskill Mountain lake capped a wonderful visit and our trip home was even nicer. Punctuated with visits to more small towns, playing golf courses that are far from the beaten path and just enjoying time.

That last statement. Perhaps the most worthy. My wife and I spent two full weeks together. Talking about our lots in life, analyzing what is in our reach and what it ahead and reflecting on a wonderful life together that was recharged simply with access to each other. That may be the biggest treat (or at least the 2nd) of the entire summer. Her world will now change greatly for the first time in 38 years. She is not, as we write, busily preparing 12 hours a day for the arrival of this year's crop of 8 year olds. She is, on the other hand, discovering the joy of taking care of herself in ways that time didn't permit. It is a wonderful first chapter in the next part of her life and I had a front row seat.

We enjoyed the fruits of the season. The sweet corn (thanks, Rodney), the tomatoes, the beans, the peaches and melons. Those were normal. Having time to savor them was the difference.

So now we head into September. The August weather is very much "un-Augustlike" and more like late September and allows us all to stretch our collective ideas and activities in ways that usually aren't found until the leaves turn. The anticipation of returning to class and welcoming a group of 18-22 year olds is more exciting than ever. Perspective and the ability to learn occupy both sides of my classroom.

The usual landmarks are there - the start of the football season, the survival of the Brett Favre era and the sad farewell to two fine community leaders - Dick Shierling and Herman Schneideman. But, most of all, the growth of our hero has been remarkable. Her expression, her presence and the changes that she has already made on our lives opens up the most exciting chapters of our summer. And it is just beginning.

What I did this summer was experience life on a different plane. Changing the order. Having time to develop, recharge and restore some order. From filling two huge dumpsters and literally cleaning our the past 37 years or taking the time to visit some areas that had been overlooked - both were equally rewarding.

No, we didn't do Disneyworld nor the Grand Canyon. Although we will. We spent time with immediate and extended family and basked in the joy of just being in their presence. Family reunions in two time zones and golf courses that were gorgeous and challenging.

In other words, this summer, I learned how to learn again. To have daily access to my own family and time do ride a bike, make some lemonade and grill some veggies. We'll wait and see as to the outcome, but as far as summers go, this was both enlightening, exciting and stimulating. That's what the presence of a new hero can do.

Now I'll see if I can translate these experiences into learning modules for the coming generation. They'll continue to school me on the technology of the world; I'll try to bring the world a little closer to them. Those are decent terms.

The flag is about to be dropped for another lap of life. While my wife will play a different role - one that she has earned - I will get back and add value where I can and learn from those who will teach others. We'll share it from time to time. And for that reason, we'll come back next week and revisit it again. So, till then, and as always, I remain.....