The most wonderful time of the year

Much of the world considers the Christmas season to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” Yes, I, too, love the holidays from Thanksgiving through Epiphany featuring a magnificent convergence of religious, familial and social traditions. But I pick right now as wonderful.

Why? I respectfully offer my deep-down preference to take the “most wonderful time of the year” honors: Now in August when stores are selling back-to-school items swathed in enticing and eye-catching displays. Seeing these displays of every kind of school supply in each store makes me rejoice. I love this time of the year. Imagine those stacks of brand-new, one-subject notebooks just waiting to be purchased and written in! Imagine what words of wisdom can be written by all those never-used pens and pencils! Imagine the art projects than can be created by all those brand new scissors, construction papers, and glue sticks!

What did the triangle say to the circle? “Unlike a brand-new pencil, you’re pointless.”

What’s the king of the school supplies? The ruler, of course.

And who keeps all the school supplies together? Why, that would be Elmer.

Unlike the math book that, unfortunately, has lots of problems, I venture intrepidly into store after store on my quest for eye feasts and terrific bargains. Don’t wait up for me — I might not be home for a while.

[Sr. Nancy Linenkugel is a Sylvania Franciscan sister and chair of the department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University, Cincinnati Ohio.]