LUKY
MY matric daughter came home after her last school day, covered from head to toe in mud, egg and shaving cream.
"I was the undisputed queen of the road today," she informed me smugly. "Everyone stared!"
She was a very thoughtful little lady the next morning, however.
It is one thing to be sporting a school shirt with Garfield holding a little bear on the back, reading: "I can't bear to leave".
It's quite another to be hauling out the books in preparation for your matric.
I have seldom hammered my children about their lack of academic achievements..
I do not wish to be the kind of parent who drives her children to drink, demanding ever-higher marks so that she can bask in the reflected glory.
I counted my blessings if the children at least managed to stay afloat academically, and I refused to do their homework or their assignments for them.
I can't carry them; I could only provide the wherewithal.
What is important to me is that they stay sane.
That year my matriculant and I freuqently discussed the fact that so many youngsters attempt suicide before writing their finals.
It horrified us both.
I told her it was not important if she failed.
She could repeat her standard, even though her school had not had a matric failure for over a decade.
But her presence and her life are priceless to our family.
Nothing could ever make up for the loss of these.
What do I wish for our matriculants: yours and mine?
I want them to become the kind of people who say yes to life, to anyone who needs a favour or a helping hand.
It is not important to me whether they become blue collar blokes or chief executive officers.
How they handle their respective positions is what counts.
Success and fortune can change or dwindle but the essence of man persisits.
It shows in his bearing, his eyes, his smile and his attitude.
It shows when he knows something to another's disadvantage and restrains himself from being king for a day by telling the world.
It shows in the lives of his wife and children.
To all matriculants including my own little one at the time, a word of advice.
Do your very best with your studies and leave the passing in God's Hands.
If you fail, the worst that can happen is that you may have to spend another year at school
And just think how many distinctions you'll get the second time around!
The wonderful Roger Miller 'King of the Road'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmOe27SJ3Yc
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