Bluebird

 The beginning of the school year brings back so many memories. Listening to a particular song welcomes back a distinctive feel, memory and experience. 

My sister sent me the song and I was listening to it on repeat while decorating a shirt for my other sister's birthday. I love art design and decorating shirts is always so fun, especially for someone else! 

It was that newness feeling of a brand-new school year. Though I was a veteran, it felt very new due to being in a new classroom and placed with a new sped teacher. But it was just what I needed after things feeling the same for the prior 3 school years. There was a heightened sense of responsibility, guidance, but I felt like I was enjoying it because I was busier and could make things more my own- despite it being challenging and exhausting. 

In a way, it was a reward for sticking it out the other years that were bland and more predictable. I could use it for something, and there was a sense of joy and peace, knowing I was in the right place. Turning 30 and being at the same job had many graces, and it felt like the hard, dry, and monotonous parts were turning into something else the beginning of the school year.

When I listen to this song, I immediately think of a year ago at this time. We were celebrating my mom and sister's birthday at a restaurant, and my classes just started. Thery were looking into selling their house, and there was a distinctive summer feeling in the air- with the warm summer breeze, people enjoying themselves and out and about, and a whole new school year ahead that already felt hard, interesting, exhausting. It was a new challenge to embrace and make it my own.