The Backpack

This is the story of the perfect backpack. Or is it?

Ty's taking some classes at Valencia this year, and his favorite back pack, a black EastPak with suede bottom, one main compartment with a smaller compartment in the front, was stolen last year (with his Physics book IN it, go figure).

At the beginning of the school year, I bought him a black JanSport back pack. One main compartment with a smaller compartment in front. It looked JUST LIKE the other one, but no suede bottom, and it was Jansport, NOT Eastpak.

He was less than thrilled.

Evidently, I had purchased an extremely uncool backpack. I gladly offered to take it back to the store, and he accompanied me to look for one.

NO ONE had Eastpak. They just don't, or not THE backpack. You have to order them on line.

Meanwhile, school is starting! In Socorro, NM, I had purchased a backpack to take on the plane so the girls and I could have snacks, books, and my Mom's lap quilts as we traveled. It's a green monstrosity with several compartments, dorky webbing on the front to hold the dorky water bottle, and areas for things like your Swiss Army Knife, cell phone, survival kit, lounge chair. . . you get the picture. In desperation, Ty took this with him to his first semester at Valencia. I truly felt badly for him.

Meanwhile, back on the farm, I went on line and eventually ordered the Eastpak. Black, one compartment with a smaller compartment in the front, and a suede bottom. It was the exact replica of the one that had been stolen, which had never begun to wear out in the four years he used it, and I knew Ty would be happy to have his treasured backpack again.

I waited eagerly for Christmas morning to watch him open it . . . he was thrilled! You could see the sigh of relief . . . all was right in the world again.

Second semester of Valencia begins. We prepare for his classes and auction off our human organs in order to afford his textbooks. I express joy that he now has a proper backpack.

"Oh, I'm not taking the Eastpak to Valencia."

"What?"

"It doesn't have enough compartments. Besides, I don't want to use it for SCHOOL."

Sigh.