The Adventures of Q, Chapter 5.

I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms.

– Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail

Each year, as autumn approaches, I take on a feeling of youthful giddiness. I am apt to incorporate a spring to my step, often leading to even a skip, and I tend to utter the quote above on a number of occasions. The one person in my life who seems to have an equal affinity for newly sharpened pencils is, Q, my nephew. Present Q with a pencil and he is ecstatic. Follow the pencil with a notebook and you may not see him again for hours.

Today Q begins his tenure as a first grader. Long ago are the days of kindergarten and exposure to education. I fondly remember Q’s confusion when, on the second day of kindergarten, he was told that he would be going back to school. “I already went to school”, he said. It seems, when you are five years old, that the concept of school is a wee bit mind-blowing.

However, after a few weeks as a kindergartener, Q transformed into a complete learning machine. Honestly, he seemed to have blown the off switch. First it was letters, then numbers, and then his level of comprehension blew straight through the roof! School, for Q, created a monster. (A furry, snuggly monster, of course.)

Over the summer, Q and I began writing a book together. In the style of Mad Libs, I sent Q a sheet of paper with a plethora of blanks to fill in. To be frank, I was not entirely sure how he would take to the concept and I knew his mother would need to assist in the endeavor. Qualms aside, I remained hopeful as I mailed Chapter 1 and a set of instructions.

Although the book is a work in progress, Q and I are off to an admirable start. When I received Chapter 1 back in the mail, I was pleased to see that Q filled in each blank and that, over the summer, his writing only improved. Chapter 3 is next and I foresee a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils attached.

Bright and early this morning Q will awake to find that sleeping late and days of leisure are a thing of the past. Early alarm clocks, packed lunches and homework will take precedence. As the days pass and our video chats resume, I will find myself utterly amazed at his newly acquired knowledge and, at times, nostalgic for the days when I was “Jenper” to this little boy. I am not sure who will be more excited, Q or me, to rehash the first week with all of its adventures. However, one thing is certain, The Adventures of Q is back. Prepare yourselves for the first grade, readers.

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Tags: Bouquet of newly sharpened pencils, First grade