Back To School
The passed few weeks at the Sanchez house has been filled with the noise of mom telling our kids to clean out their closets because school is around the corner and the junk needs to be cleaned out.
They’re instructed to take out all the clothes that no longer fit, to be placed it in a plastic bag that’s located in our dining room. I have to laugh every morning, as I have my coffee, when I see the big 55 gallon trash bag grow with junk from their rooms.
They’re told anything that doesn’t belong in their closets needs to go. To Jason, my 16 year old, it means getting rid of all the empty shoe boxes. He is told to get rid of anything that would stop his hamper from fitting inside his closet. Norah always has to throw in these words when she talking to Jason, she reminds him to stop being a hoarder.
To Gese, my 7 year old, it means all the subway lunch bag collection needs to disappear, all of last year’s school paperwork needs to go away, and no clean clothes better been on the floor. Also make sure that nothing finds it way under your bed or there will be a lot of explaining to do! Again, these are words Norah just has to say.
This has become a ritual at the Sanchez house at the beginning of every August as we prepare for the upcoming school year. My title of dad changes to chauffeur and ATM machine.
When it is time to go back-to school shopping, I spend my time driving everyone around, and I spend too much time looking for cleats, socks, underwear and school supplies. This wouldn’t be so bad if we could choose one or two store to buy everything we need, but this is not an option for the Sanchez’s, we have to visit every store within a 200 mile radius. This year was different because we added car shopping to the list for our 16 year old son. Not only did I have Norah guiding me to the next shopping center, I now had my son pointing out every car dealership we passed by.
I have to say that this years back to school travels where exhausting!
My shoulders were sore from all of the wheeling around in my wheelchair, and my head hurt because of so much time spent with car dealers.
But I have to admit that I wouldn’t change any of it because after all the dust has settled, I get a front row seat to the Gese Sanchez fashion show. I get to see her eyes fill with excitement and joy because of the upcoming school year. So much that we need to remind her that she can’t wear her school clothes to bed.
For my son I can see that he can’t wait to be able to drive himself to school. All of this traveling and money spending takes a toll on me and Norah, but we are more than happy to do this for our kids. Because all we ever wanted when we started a family was the ability to do for kids in ways that we weren’t able to when we were younger. We want them to remember, and God willing when they start a family they will do the same.
My first few years of being in a wheelchair I had doubts that I would ever have the ability to have a normal life and family. I don’t think this way anymore because I had my eyes open by the Lord and he showed me that I could have anything I wanted I just needed to believe. At the beginning of every August I will be reminded of my blessing by scheduled trips to the mall and in Gese’s case one more trip to a car dealership in about ten years.
To all the dads out there I want to shout out to you to remember that time is short with our kids so enjoy the torture of the malls and stores. Try to spend the remaining time you have with them to get their eyes to sparkle with the excitement of life. Dont miss out on the fashion show where you’re the guest of honor.
Rejoice in the gift or gifts that the Lord has given you.
Keep Rolling On!!
