The sun doesn't rise until nearly an hour after we do. Monday - first day of school, first day of high school for Abate, Fantu is in the eighth grade. I'm up at 5:45 am. I need to get Abate up and up to the athletics field by 6:30 am for cross county practice. It is still dark when I drop him. I head back home and make sure Fantu is up and getting ready, she is. The sun has decided to put in an appearance, the sky is brightening quickly. The sky is clear and the forecast calls for 103f later in the day, it's already 80f. By 7:00 am I am out the door, stop off at Mom's then at 7:14 am head to work. I call Fantu and make sure she is heading out the door to catch the bus. I tell her that her friend Grace is waiting on the next corner and she can go wait with her if she'd like. The sun is rising quickly, I drive east into the sun, that really wakes me up and gets me going for the day. A new school year has begun.
The week is now drawing to a close. Both are happy with their classes and teachers. Fantu began Cross Country workouts on Wednesday. She won't race for several more weeks yet. Abate's days are long - football practice is after school and he doesn't get home until after 5. Thursday was their first real game. They played Brownwood, a real powerhouse in 3A. They lost 34-16. I missed the game as they played too early for me to get back in town from work. According to Abate he didn't play much but when he did he made some brilliant plays. The coaches didn't play him too much knowing that this morning he had his first Cross Country meet. Varsity Cross Country is a 3 mile run ( it was 2 miles last year). He would be one of only a handful of 9th graders running on a varsity team. He was competing in a field of an estimated 120 runners. He placed 15th. I think he did amazing. He was disappointed. Only the top 10 receive medals - he likes to get medals. I hope he can realize what a great accomplishment this was. I think he forgets his first year running in Jr. High he struggled to place in many of the races. He will only improve. The sun is rising on this talented young man.
Another school year to conquer. We have many more sunrises to see for the many months to come. By winter we will watching quite a few sunsets. Beginnings and endings, accomplishments and failures, celebrations and sorrow. Always a sunrise bringing the promise of a new day.
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