It's school holidays at the moment, which is of little significance to me except that there are no young ones walking to school bus in the mornings. I miss them. I like to wave and say "G'day have a good day" to the regulars I cross paths with. I love their youth, their nervousness, their seriousness that breaks into a smile sometimes when they return my offer of greeting. I was once like them. I understand far more than they know I do.
One day not long before we left for Fiji the teachers were on strike for more money, so there were no kids that day. A few days after we got back the teachers were on strike again, no kids again. I love seeing the kids. I really do feel for them. The week after we came back their was a Four Corners' program on youth suicide which is apparently statistically on the increase to alarming levels.
I don't have any answers. I do know kids ask themselves the meaning of life, and have self doubt and fears of failure in this capitalist, competetive, winner and loser society we thrust them into. It sucks. The best things in life are free for most us; fresh air, sunshine, friendship, love, nature. I don't have to own it, and money can't buy it. It's all there every day if I'm open to it. I don't worry about the meaning of life. I don't know what it is. I had this discussion with my son Rob just the other day To me it's a mystery we all share, whatever paths we follow. I don't think the dentist who screws me $80 for a ten minute examination and clean, or the specialst who charges $110 to read my blood tests last year are any happier than me. No wonder then the plumber gets ideas and ups his fee. We've had the cops on strike this year, the ambos, and the fire brigade too. They all want more,more, all the time. It's not the answer. If I could think of an answer, best I could offer, "Open your your eyes and your heart." But I don't want to preach.
I just wish the teachers' union would bugger off and stop setting such a terrible example and let me enjoy seeing the kids go to school.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment