Back To School

Here in Prince William County, Virginia, today is the first day of school.

Like most rising 5th graders, SoccerGirl isn't all that thrilled by the ending of summer.  At the same time, going back to school holds no terror or worries.  She is a good kid in a good school, full of good teachers.  I am looking forward to the new school year... but this year will be a little different in a very important way.

For the first time, I won't be there when the first school bell rings.

In a few minutes, I'll be heading up to Fort Meade, Maryland, to spend the day conducting rifle qualifications.  Sure, I could have taken the day off, as I am the only guy in the office that has elementary school-aged children.  The problem is, we are starting a recruit class as well, and our resources will be well and truly stretched.

I'm unhappy about this.  Duty calls and all of that, and like Pavlov's dogs, I'll respond to the bell, but I would rather be there at the school, walking my daughter to her classroom, for what is likely to be the last year in which she will even want to be seen with her father in school.

Mrs GF will be there, of course, but I really wish that I could be there, too.