First of many…

I somewhat, vaguely remember my first day of school, my new brown dress and the beige shirt underneath it, the grandness of my (first) new pair of school shoes, the little brown box suitcase my grandfather bought me. 

The excitement grew as mom and I entered the school grounds.  The big, brick buildings, the long hallways, everything was new to me, and I just could wait to start exploring every inch of it.  I could not get rid of my mom fast enough, just so that I could go sit at my desk, admiring the classroom, making sure my shoes stayed clean.  And I am pretty sure, if I close my eyes and think back hard enough I would be able to feel the wood surface of my desk underneath my fingertips, I would be able to smell my brand new box of Crayola crayons, hear the laughter of the children as the bell rang for break-time.  The more and more I sit here thinking about the memories I collected from my school days; the more and more I miss it.  We played marbles, hob-scotch, jumping rope and even a silly, little game where you used old (but clean) pantyhose from mom’s closet, but one of my favourite memories of way back then was the library and the books, the fact that I was taught the ability to read through countless pages, as much as I wanted and for as long as I wanted.  I enjoyed reading, it opened worlds for me that, I would never have been able to reach.

To be carefree, not worry about anything, to enjoy every moment as if there was no tomorrow, to learn, to explore…man those were the days!

Well that day finally arrived for Hanco…. his first day of school.  And I wanted everything to be just perfect for him.  I packed, unpacked and repacked his school bag maybe 3 times, made sure everything is clearly marked with “Hanco Botha” (I think his school bag is marked in 3 different places), his school uniform was ready, school shoes cleaned, lunch box packed and juice bottle filled.

As we drove to school, he sat quietly next to me in the car, observing our route as he does most of the time, but once we neared the school he was a sudden burst of energy and excitement.  He could not wait to get out of the car and enter the school grounds.  As we waited for Guilm to arrive, he was a non-stop-babbling-mess!

The moment finally arrived, he was allowed to walk through those big gates and enter this great adventure, and he started the new chapter in his life. 

They took us to his class, we met his teacher, but…. just as I did some 24 odd years ago, he also could not wait that we leave just so that he could go and play.  He could care less about the day of tomorrow or the philosophy of life, he only cared in doing what he knows best…. being a child.

And on your first day of school you showed us courage and bravery, you faced it with a smile on your face, you were proud, but even more, we as parents, standing behind you were bursting, bursting because you make us proud!

So cheers my littlest Biekie, cheers to great adventures and new chapters. 

May this truly be the best years of your life?