11/08/2025
’Twas the Night Before School Started – Crestview Edition
’Twas the night before school started, and all through the town,
Parents were giggling while kids wore a frown.
The backpacks were stuffed in the corner with care,
In hopes that the bus soon would be there.
The children were tossing and turning in bed,
While visions of summer fun danced in their head.
Mama with her iced coffee, and I with sweet tea,
Had just settled down—child-free we would be!
When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
I peeked through the blinds to see what was the matter.
It was just Mr. Bubba in his lifted Ford truck,
Blasting “Sweet Home Alabama,” ‘cause…Crestview luck.
The moon on the lawns of the newly cut grass,
Gave the glow of a streetlight on somebody’s bass.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a line of mamas in Walmart, buying last-minute gear.
With crayons and pencils and tissues in tow,
And that one kid still screaming he didn’t wanna go.
More rapid than gators the car line will form,
For the first day drop-off traffic storm.
“Now Turner! Now Brackin! Now Davidson too!
On Shoal River! On Richbourg! Let’s hustle on through!
To the front of the school, don’t block the main lane,
Or Officer Jenkins will call out your name!”
And then, in a twinkling, I heard down the hall,
The alarm clock blaring—oh no, not at all!
I stumbled to the kitchen to start the café,
‘Cause the first day of school is mama’s holiday.
The kids donned their polos, their sneakers so white,
Hair gelled to perfection (well…kind of…alright).
They rolled their eyes big when I took fifty pics,
And made them pose awkward with new lunchbox tricks.
And as they climbed on the bus with a cheer and a grin,
I whispered, “Sweet freedom… let the quiet begin.”
I sprang to my car, to my friends gave a shout,
“Let’s hit Chick-fil-A before the school lets them out!”
For we all heard me exclaim as I sped out of sight,
“Happy First Day of School to Crestview—alright!”
