17 | October | 2011 | A Winsome Journey ~ imagine, dream, create

What is Homecoming all about?

School spirit! A high school and college tradition. A football game played on our home field,a Pep Rally,”powder puff” football game with a bonfire , and a dance?

Do you know how it began? Around 1911, The athletic director and football coach of Missouri University, Chester Brewer, challenged former MU students to “come back home” to Missouri for the annual football game against the University of Kansas, their biggest rival. Former students came from all different states to watch the game and show their loyalty to their alma mater. Ever since then, schools all over the U.S. have been honoring the tradition.

Jenn is a senior. As I have mentioned before, this is taking some getting used to. This past weekend, Jenn and some her friends gathered at our home for pictures with friends and family, a spaghetti dinner and last-minute preparations before their last home-coming dance as high school seniors. This marks a turning point for me, as well as for them, a series of lasts…their last homecoming dance, last high school field hockey, football, or soccer season, last spirit week..
As parents we have worked hard to prepare them for the coming years and their future; they are now at a point in life where they are eager to leave home… with memories and lessons from childhood, indelibly etched in their hearts; as it seems what we remember from childhood we remember forever. We know all too well; home is something you start out wanting to leave, and then spend a great deal of energy wanting, indeed, trying to get back to. Staying connected with old friends, will be a common thread with this bunch; I believe one of the most beautiful discovery these friends will make is that they can grow separately without growing apart…I hope they enjoy and make the most of the year to come and I wish them the best of luck as they make their choice of colleges..and important decisions for the years to come.

To me, Homecoming means football, festivities, and friendship.