Do you remember the film Sliding Doors? It starred Gwyneth Paltrow and explored two divergent paths in her life—one where she catches her train and one where she misses it. The whole idea revolves around the themes of chance and destiny. While the movie might not be a cinematic masterpiece, I have a soft spot for it nonetheless.
At the moment, I find myself living my own version of Sliding Doors.
My daughter, Mia, was all set to start school yesterday. But thanks to the unexpected fury of Hurricane Max, the school closed its doors on the very first day back from summer break.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I had been eagerly counting down the days until school started—not just because I was looking forward to the early morning hustle of getting the kids ready, packing lunches, and tackling homework, but because I desperately needed to finish writing my book. With the little ones around, it’s nearly impossible to find a moment of peace to focus.
So, when I heard the news about the school closure, I honestly thought I was being pranked. It felt like a cruel joke.
Of course, I recognize our good fortune: we’re safe, our home is intact, and it could have been much worse. But come on, local utilities, give us a break!
Throughout yesterday, I kept imagining what my day would have looked like if school had gone on as planned. I envisioned dropping Mia off at 8 a.m. and learning who her teacher was, which locker belonged to her, and attending the boys’ orientations an hour later. I would have met their teachers and explored their classrooms. Afterward, I’d have returned home, hoping the kids would entertain each other while I grabbed a few stolen moments to write.
Instead, we all slept in. While I should have been preparing lunches, I found myself cuddling in bed with my sons, Lucas and Noah. We ventured to the zoo with friends instead of being at school. Later, when I would have been socializing with other parents about classes and sports, we indulged in my favorite ice cream. After that, I took one of Mia’s friends home, and Lucas enjoyed a playdate of his own. We eventually gathered for pizza while the kids played, their laughter echoing through the air.
It turned out to be a fantastic day. A final summer escapade before the school routine kicked in—arguably even better than the day I had originally planned.
Unfortunately, the school remains closed today, so we’re in for another round of this unexpected adventure. Yet, I have to disagree with fate on this one. I’m pretty sure it’s time for the kids to head back to school. I’ve had my fill of summer!
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Summary
The author reflects on the impact of a school closure due to Hurricane Max, contrasting planned events with unexpected family adventures. While acknowledging the good fortune of safety, the author expresses a longing for the school routine to resume.
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