From the Editor

Back-To-School Memories

BY REBECCA FENDING

This time of year is always jam-packed with back-to-school to-do lists. From organizing the family calendar for the upcoming months to shopping for new school supplies like a new backpack and lunch box, the mayhem has begun.

Possibly the most exciting part of the new school year was choosing a new backpack and lunchbox. Since we were at the mercy of whatever local stores carried in terms of themes and patterns, it felt extra special when you found a bag that spoke to you. One of my most favorite backpacks I ever had was

an ultra-bright electric blue, with a pale white swirly Paisley-like design crawling over the canvas. While I was smitten with the color and design, my mom gently pointed out that it may not be big enough for that year. My teacher had prefaced that we would be toting heavy books and large three-ring binders to and from school. Long story short, my mom was right, and my backpack zipper was never fully zipped that year.

Now, choosing a lunchbox was a different story as I grew older. My primary focus of cute, unique patterns morphed into a more subtle style to not draw attention and feel “dorky” as I carried it to the lunchroom. Silly, I realize that now, but at the time, having to tote my lunch in a brightly colored Vera Bradley bag had me mortified.

However embarrassing my lunchbox felt, the meal inside always made it more palatable. In elementary school, my mom packed it with a note from Mom, written on a napkin in blue ink. Looking back, I wish I would have saved those.

Packed lunches varied from the iconic Lunchable, classic PB&J with crunchy peanut butter to a thermos of hot SpaghettiOs or soup or a turkey and cheese sandwich. Sides usually included string cheese, cheesy crackers, fresh fruit or a granola bar. It did not occur to me until I was high school age and packing my own lunches how much trouble my mom went to in order to make both mine and my brother’s lunches. Really, it’s the cleanup that’s not very fun—bread crumbs from trying to shove a sandwich in a baggie, mayo or peanut butter smeared and messy knives. Trying to make lunch the morning of was such a mess that I started packing it the night before. Sure, the bread might have been slightly soggy, but that was better than throwing ingredients together Disney-style (you know, meat, cheese and all the toppings are thrown onto a plate from three feet away and it somehow comes out looking restaurant-grade?) and hoping it came together before the school bus did.

Now, my go-to lunch is like a grown-up Lunchable: slices of deli meat, cheese and Ritz crackers. It’s simple, no-mess and easy to put together the morning of. I would highly recommend trying it for yourself or even your kids. And maybe include a napkin note, just for old time’s sake. edm

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