The time is 10:19 A.M. The car just didn’t start today, forcing him to run to school. As he rushes across the road, diving in front of several angry cars swerving to avoid hitting him while he goes across the grounds. Checking his watch, it reveals only two minutes until the bell. Running faster, bolting through the door, across the hallway, up the stairs, and down to his classroom. Suddenly he stops waiting for the pounding to slow down, taking a deep breath to exhale. The smile draws slowly from the corners of the mouth, into a relieved smile. It’s the perfect day to be late.

Sometimes people just fall behind in work, lose track of time, or perhaps they’ve got too much to handle. People today just go to fast and miss the chance of enjoying their families, friends, or life. So on September 5th, the idea that is ‘Be Late for Something Day’ was created. The “unofficial” national holiday designed for everyone and anyone, to “stop and smell the roses.” That once in a year chance to actually tell the boss, “No one was late!”

Investigating this event towards the impact on students, a school counselor Mr. Hansen, was asked if the school, along with him, were aware of such a holiday. “No, I haven’t heard of it before,” Mr. Hansen had replied. This statement had ringed true towards the public majority also, but our interviewee did state that this holiday could benefit students, staff, and/or faculty alike.

With a holiday dedicated for the general public’s good, this family-directed commemoration has served to provide family opportunities, against the grueling everyday demands, which tend to lead to a mundane and groggy feeling at the day’s end. To provide just a few ideas of this, for example: waking up at 6 A.M. to get ready for an average of 6.28 hours of school, according to the National Center for Education Statistics but then going to work for perhaps a four hour shift. Already the day seems to never end. Be Late for Something Day allows the family options to play at a nearby park with family, or perhaps to help out a relative with their garden. A sibling is wondering if someone would go to a game with him, so why not go and watch it too? Who knows? Such possibilities are within grasp to be achieved, to reach a deeper and more meaningful comradeship within a family or friendship. Go see the beauty of nature all around, go find some meaning in life again, or simply avoid feeling rushed.

Whatever the reason, ‘Be Late for Something Day’ brings back the idea of slowing down, spending time to get to know kinsfolk, to be with friends, to find joy in the simple things. Everybody’s invited to participate on September 5th for this “unofficial” national celebration, something Mr. Hansen even agrees with. That one legit opportunity to pull a reason of “being late” for something.