Thought for the Week

As I write this, children are preparing to go back to school.

In none of their lifetimes have they been off school for so long. It is approaching four and a half months since they last sat in class together.

I have been so impressed by the way they have coped with this strange infringement on their lives.

The children have been diligent at keeping the rules in so many ways. They have not gone out to play, they have not gone near their newly-installed playpark. They have kept the rules.

One young lad told me he wasn't going as fast on his bike as usual in case he was in an accident which would mean diverting much-needed care from people suffering from Covid.

How responsible these young people have been and how they could teach those who flaunt the regulations a thing or two.

And now they prepare to go back to school. Their parents have done a grand job on home schooling, but it is not the same as having the experts on the case and the fun of interaction with their peers.

I know the teachers are looking forward to resuming contact with the children and I think it will be a great reunion. There will be much to talk about, much to share, much to nurture and maybe much comforting to be done.

So as our children and young people go back to learning and living, may they be blessed. May those who teach them and love them, nourish them and care for them, be blessed.

And may all they have learned about being better people, about caring and sharing stay with them forever.