JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 18, 2021 — Tuesday was the First Day. It started again. We did it last year, and we鈥檒l do it again next year. For almost 200 years, 萌妹社区 has been starting school every fall. After the summer of an empty campus, the lifeblood has come back into this place. Students have returned. The hallowed halls are again teeming with what makes this place tick -- students.
In our weekly meeting on the first day of school, several of us who work at 萌妹社区 shared about how many 鈥淔irst Days鈥� we have experienced as employees at an institution of higher education. One shared that he had experienced 32 First Days. Another colleague said that this is her sixth First Day. For me, it was my 22nd First Day.
Although there have been others before, the First Day of school always brings with it new excitement and fresh optimism. You can feel it in the air. For those who serve in education, we believe that Andy Williams had it all wrong. Christmas is not the most wonderful time of year. The beginning of the fall semester is the most wonderful time of the year.
For some this is their first First Day. I think about those who are starting their careers and have come on our faculty to serve by teaching students. They are fresh out of their graduate work, have little kids at home and are beginning to build their lives. Oh, all the goodness that is ahead of them.
For others, Tuesday marked their last First Day. For some, this is the last year of their career. For years, they have served at 萌妹社区 and made a difference in the lives of students. They have announced their retirement, and they are beginning their last year with minds that are full of memoires and hearts that are full of blessings. Oh, all the goodness that is behind them.
Not only was Tuesday a First Day for me; this year marked another first for me. For the first time, I welcomed children of former students. While talking to them, I have found myself thinking, 鈥淚 remember your dad鈥檚 First Day.鈥�
No one鈥檚 thinking about it now, but in four years these new students will be experiencing their Last Day. No one is using these words today, but before you know it these students will be talking about caps and gowns, fiancées, moving to new cities, jobs and more.
Students don鈥檛 come to the university to become career university students. In the same way that the purpose of childhood is to grow into adulthood, the purpose of students鈥� college years is to prepare them for the life that is ahead of them. It is right and good that there is a First Day of college. There鈥檚 also a 10th day and a 78th day and a 235th day and a Last Day. It鈥檚 the way it鈥檚 supposed to be.
Isaac Watts was right on when he wrote, 鈥淭ime, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away; they fly, forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.鈥� The wise writer also said it in Ecclesiastes 3:1 -- 鈥淔or everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.鈥�
Tuesday was a gift. It was another first for all of us. Concerning this school this year, next Tuesday will be the sixth day. When my mind turns to home and seeing my kids who had their First Day of school last week, I am reminded that tomorrow will be another first -- the First Day of the rest of my life.