Strapped in for memories flooding pack..

September's always bag to school time

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THE smell of new school books and decaying leaves hangs in the brightness of the mornings, the darkness is settling in.

Many of us carry metaphorical baggage from our school days. I still, occasionally, carry the actual bag.

August was never easy. I knew what was coming in September and couldn't escape it. In June, I'd go to the Army and Navy Stores in Galway to buy pocket knives.

In July, I'd cut my finger trying to edge initials into a tree. By August I'd return to the Army and Navy Stores - but to buy a bag, the days of trees and cutting thumbs were ending.

I often wonder who last had ownership of my schoolbag before me. It was made from canvas and stitched rock solid. Mine was a military WWII-era school bag.