From Crayons to College: Back-to-School Lessons for Every Generation

Written by our Founder and Chairman, the Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. By welcoming your ideas and sharing your stories, we want to help you strengthen your relationships with the most important people in your life.

When I was a boy, “back to school” meant equal parts groaning about the end of summer and feeling the thrill of something new. We'd claim we weren’t ready but really looked forward to reconnecting with friends and wondering who our teachers would be. 

When I became a dad, the tables turned. I was the one enforcing the rules, but I could see the nerves and the excitement in my children’s eyes. I always looked forward to the trips for supplies, the chats of encouragement, and the last-minute scramble out the door on the first day. 

Now, as a grandfather, back to school has taken on yet another layer of meaning. I’m a step removed from the hustle but still part of it as I cheer from a distance and share stories that connect my grandchildren to the family that came before them. 

I’ve come to realize that going back to school is about more than sharpened pencils and fresh notebooks. It’s a chance for generations to support each other as children step into a world of possibility, parents to offer guidance and encouragement, and grandparents to bring the long view. Our roles may change over time, but the promise of deepening our relationships remains the same. 

First-day lessons for all ages 

Over the years, this grandpa has learned a few things. First, mindset matters. An adult’s outlook can shape how a child sees the road ahead. Second, the rituals around back-to-school season are powerful. What may seem like chores are really a chance to connect by sharing a story or offering encouragement. Often, the smallest gestures carry the biggest impact. 

And most of all, I’ve learned to savor the season. Over time, you’ll notice backpacks getting heavier and the goodbyes more routine. Then, one day, the front door closes and the nest is empty. It happens faster than you think. 

When that day comes, your role changes again, and you’ll begin creating new rituals that fit this next chapter. I have one for my seven grandchildren, each a small tradition that’s just ours. With one grandson, it’s an annual fishing trip at summer’s end. It’s become our way of easing into the school year ahead. Watching him lean over the water with his little rod, I’m reminded that these moments matter far more than either of us may realize. 

Rituals that stick 

Many of you in the Celebrations Pulse community have shared your own back-to-school rituals that have become the foundation of important memories. They remind me that it’s not just the kids who grow during the school year. 

One community member, Connie, shared a ritual that goes beyond just a “first day” photo. Her best friend started taking “before-and-after” photos — one on the first day of school, and another on the last, with the kids wearing the same outfit. Connie wrote: 

“The kids loved seeing how much they’d grown — ankles showing, sleeves too short, shoes completely outgrown. It became a reminder of how fast a year goes.” 

Another story came from Roberta, who started tucking handwritten notes into her daughter’s lunchbox during elementary school. Sometimes jokes, sometimes pep talks, the notes became her way of saying, “You’re loved.” 

Her daughter not only saved them but quietly shared them with classmates who needed a lift. Today, as a successful consultant, her daughter still signs cards to her parents with the same closing Roberta used: “You know who. XO.” 

Then there was Joe, who told me about the lesson his mother taught him about empathy. One year, his bus driver, Bob, had lost his wife over the summer. On the first day of school, Joe’s mother said, “Be sure to tell Bob you’re sorry for his loss.” Joe did, and Bob, with tears in his eyes, pulled him in for a hug.  

That moment stayed with Joe, and it’s a reminder for us all that kindness doesn’t take much, but it can mean everything. 

Embracing the moment 

When I hear stories like these, I’m reminded that the first day of school is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a time of connection and reconnection in which the smallest rituals convey big messages: I see you, I believe in you, and I love you. 

As this season gets underway, I hope you’ll embrace it by sharing stories, writing notes, taking pictures, and celebrating the growth. Use your power as a parent, grandparent, or friend. The advice you offer and the stories you share will make a difference.   

While the backpacks and lunchboxes may someday be set aside, the love and encouragement we send our children into the world with will last forever. 

All the best, 
 
Jim