How lucky we are

Re your editorial ‘Fast forward to nowhere’ (February 26).

How can people be so cruel in not teaching their children about love and compassion, the difference between good and evil, the positive side of learning skills of selfmotivation, responsibility? That every day wasted in their lives can never be regained?

There is much more to being a parent than just bringing new life into the world.

Parenting does not stop at the birth of a child. It is a lifetime commitment of the parent/parents.

Oh how lucky we are having an education system like we have. May not be perfect, but a valuable tool for young, positive minds, we should be learning more positive, constructive, responsive things everyday of our lives, not only for ourselves but also our multiple generations.

Even I, now in my latter years, realise the benefits of a good education, after experiences I have faced, being 12 years old when I left school with no secondary education. I just thank my parents and teachers for the wonderful support they gave me, the many mentors I have had in troubled times through my life.

I owe so much to these wonderful people with whom I have crossed paths in my life.

I know good times and bad times, the highs of happiness and the dark holes of depression, and am of the view that we are masters of our own lives. Either we choose to be positive or negative. The choice is ours.

Many may think education is not their thing, but years of experience has taught me that education is the best medicine one can obtain for life’s ills.

I say to all parents and children, do not be fools, as education is the greatest thing in this universe.

I say it is even written in the Bible as to how it can change the mindset of our spirit, offering us two choices, a positive outlook on life or a negative view.

I therefore ask parents and children to have love and compassion, be motivated, responsible, and never believe that you know it all.

It is so sad to see many young lives wasted, knowing that some will self-harm, be jobless or imprisoned, trapped in the arms of the evil one. JOHN BASSETT

Diggers’ Valley