What are you doing for Spring Break?

Today is the first day of the rest of my blogs!  Yes, it’s March 7 and I am finally getting to my New Year’s resolution -- the fun, the mischief, and the challenge of regular blogging.  And this time I am going to stick to it.   I have many subjects to cover and I expect regular comments and responses from my readers. 

 

But first I need to clear up the issue of Spring Break.  It’s the time schools close for a week of refueling both teachers and students for the final run to the end of the academic year.  The strange thing I’ve contemplated this year is how Spring Break casts it control over the entire community – and me!  Even families with no children in school are impacted by Spring Break.  It interrupts community and school spring sports, civic groups cancel meetings in case members are leaving town, church fellowship activities cease, even during Lent, because “everyone is leaving town,” and areas with multiple school districts and a large university work to coordinate schedules so everybody shuts down for Spring Break at the same time.  And retired grandparents find themselves residing in a ghost town caused by the arrival of Spring Break while they wait until some week ahead or the few days surrounding Easter weekend to visit grandchildren out of the area. 

 

“I want to buy some spring flowers,” I asked the woman at Lowe’s, and she responded “They won’t be coming in until after Spring Break.  No one’s home to plant them this time of year.”  I smiled my pathetic “stay at home” smile back to her.  While shopping for a new swim suit last week the store clerk answered my question, “Oh. Swimsuits?  The new shipment won’t be on the racks until after Spring Break.  Most people are still skiing during Spring Break.” “Skiing?  In Texas?” I asked.  She rolled her eyes impatiently at me and walked away.  The pastor announced, “The new Bible Study scheduled to begin this week has been delayed due to lack of enrollment until after Spring Break.”  After breaking my neck to finish a new book, my voice mail informed me, “Sorry ladies, but we’ll have to postpone the book club meeting next week because too many members will be gone for Spring Break.” 

Spring Break is ruling my life!  I’m not in school, I’m not a teacher or school administrator.  My children are grown and out of school.   But strangely my life is still controlled by the school schedule.  It truly seems everyone, but me, is leaving town for Spring Break.  

The lesson I’ve learned from Spring Break is this:  When you find your life controlled by something out of your control, take control and make it good.  You all know the lemons into lemonade story. 

 

Now, don’t get me wrong.  My neighborhood and town this week will seem vacant and lonely.  But I choose to take the up side and positive view.  Think how pleasant shopping will be at HEB with no lines and cranky shoppers to slow me down.  I won’t even have time to read gossip magazines in the checkout lane.  Everyone’s gone for Spring Break!  Could Fred have the Activity Center pool to himself this week?  Yea!  Everyone has left town for Spring Break!  I can go to a movie alone and no cell phone will go off in the middle of the most dramatic scenes.  Everyone has left town for Spring Break!  Eating at our favorite restaurant will seem so exclusive because our server won’t be helping anyone else. Everyone is gone for Spring Break!  And best of all, my dog, Jenny, and I will walk through the neighborhood without being chased by unleashed dogs.  This week they’re all at the boarding kennel.  Their owners are gone for Spring Break!

With an attitude like this, I can see myself actually enjoying Spring Break this year.  How about you?

Are you staying home for Spring Break?  Share your comments and ideas about spending a fun week of Spring Break at home.  I may steal some ideas for next year.

And, if you’re heading out of town for Spring Break, have a great time and come home safely.

 

Terri Clamons, author
Cocaine Campus, The Toy Room, and Corporate Prince,

Suspense, adventure, and intrigue with a light love story.

The Church Mouse That Flew, a story of learning to pray for children and adults

Jenny And Her Backyard Zoo, a story of Peacemaking for children and adults

Crosswise Charlie, a story of building lasting friendships for children and adults

All 6 books available as paperbacks and ebooks at Amazon,

       listed under Terri Clamons 

You are invited to visit my website: http://terriclamons.com

Please read and comment on my blog: http://blogbyterri.blogspot.com