By Terra Avilla
Ah, the joy of going back to school—a time when parents rejoice and students groan in unison, like a well-rehearsed choir of mixed emotions.
It’s the season when the smell of freshly sharpened pencils fills the air, and the aisles of stores transform into a battleground of glittery binders and neon highlighters.
Kids trade their lazy summer days for the thrill of early morning alarms and the delightful challenge of deciphering their teachers’ handwriting on the whiteboard. (okay maybe just my handwriting.)
For my family it means the influx of baseball boys surrounding our house, the girls moving up a grade, and the drive out to Richmond Elementary begins again.
From when I was a student, to then a parent, and now an instructor, the excitement this time of year brings to our community is palpable. There’s something undeniably heartwarming about scrolling through social media and seeing the adorable back-to-school pictures shared by my friends of their little ones, because every year I cannot believe how much older and bigger their kiddos are getting.
It’s new beginnings and the possibly really of anything. I can’t wait to see the return of Friday night lights to our high school football field.
Back to school time is special everywhere, but there is just something about our community that makes it feel so much better. For example, the Salvation Army becomes synonymous with this time of year, transforming the hustle of shopping into a mission of compassion.
While families scramble to gather supplies, often spending a small fortune on everything from backpacks to calculators, many children face the daunting reality of starting school without these essentials, yet year after year Salvation Army steps right in to help ease that burden.
As the school year kicks off, so does the familiar wave of requests for fundraisers supporting various youth activities, from sports teams to music programs and everything in between. While it can sometimes feel like an avalanche of bake sales, raffle tickets, car washes, and sponsorship requests, this annual ritual serves as a reminder of the vibrant community we all share.
After all, these are the kids we have known their whole life, and they are growing up in front of our eyes.
August also heralds the start of fall youth soccer, as the fields at Ranch Park come alive with the sounds of laughter, snack bags, cheers, and the unmistakable thud of my daughter’s head as she tries to stop the ball with it.
This time of year, brings cooler mornings and is about to bless us with the colors only available here, in sweet northern California.
Yes, this time is incredibly busy, but rather than getting swept away by the chaos, it’s a perfect opportunity to sit back, take a deep breath, and soak in the joy of this season.
It only lasts for such a little while but year-after-year is such a wonderful reminder of why I love where we live.
