Pinot, Bretzels, and Cathedrals

Today is a big day for some Moms, Dads, and little ones on the Inlands of SA- the last day of the Summer Holiday.  I might be 4 and a half months ahead of you in this regard, so I have a pretty good idea of what you are feeling.  Yes, it is a somewhat different scene, in that most parents are already back at work, so the transition is quite different to what I had.

Regardless, it is a big day.  If was at home, I like to think I would have taken the day off, although this in itself lends towards another topic- just how would we have dealt with the challenges that come when your little baby leaves the security of an all day day-care, and you have two drop-offs, two collections, and no holiday care any more?  An even bigger challenge would be how Anton and I would have coped with our slightly unusual working hours.  For now, I am grateful that we don’t have to worry about it, and my complaining about only having 2 hours free ‘per session’  pale into significance in comparison to the challenges we  would have had with Alex starting school in Centurion.  Now, we might have to put money in a kitty every month for savings, but we so far we are coping on a single income.

But I’m not here to chat about that.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy transition back to school tomorrow.  For the most part, many of the ‘newbies’ are not unfamiliar with a school environment, so I am very confident your children with fit into Grade R with ease, confidence and happiness to be returning to their friends.  If Alex can cope beautifully in a very new environment, you can rest assured that your children will be just as happy.

To the Mum’s and Dad’s, congratulations on getting this far.  Pat yourself on the back for your achievements.  You have done some beautiful work getting to this point.

To the children starting at a new school or a High School, mine and Anton’s thoughts are with you.  We wish you all the success that you need, and take this time to remember that what you get out of life is directly proportional to what you put in (as we were once told by Mr Langley in Standard 8 Biology… or was it Mr. Bailey???).  At the end of the day, you will be remembered with dignity for what you give, of yourself, and not of what you take.  Work hard, read a lot, look around at what people say and do, filter what is important to you, all the while being aware of what is important to others. Learn something new every day.

To the teachers, Thank You for your patience as you have new groups of little personalities to deal with.  Thank You for doing our jobs for us, we wish you so much strength, and pray that we will learn from you.

There will be times when it all goes pear-shaped, maar more is nog ‘n dag, you can tackle new challenges after a little rest, sleep and clarity often comes with a new dawn.  Besides, we can all afford to learn new things as often as God gives it to us to learn.

Enjoy your last evening, we are thinking of you, with all of our love,

xxx