This morning I packed yet another lunch. I've been getting school lunches ready for more than 20 years so it's second nature to me now. My first child started school in 1991. Three more followed.

Now, the oldest is out of grad school and part of the workforce. The youngest is in high school. There are only two more years of school lunches to go.

As I folded down the edges of my daughter's brown paper sack this morning, I remembered the plaid metal lunchbox I carried when I was in elementary school. That brought memories of milk in paper cartons, freshly baked peanut butter cookies and the clatter of conversation and laughter at the long tables in the "lunchroom."

Several years ago, I picked up a similar metal lunchbox and kept it in my kitchen. But, when we downsized several years ago, I sold it at a garage sale. (Over the years, I've developed a "catch and release" philosophy toward antiques and collectibles.) I wrote about it in a past Treasure Hunting column

I'm working from home but I think I'll make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and pour a cold glass of milk. Cheers!

---

---