Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Come Sail [and/or Fly] Away

Though flawed, Winston Churchill had a knack for inspirational phrases. For example: "To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour."

I fear, however, that becoming a Primary Teacher Training Resource Volunteer in one of half-a-dozen languages is neither unique to me nor fitted to my talents. Nevertheless, as a younger version of myself used to say, I love a good challenge. Like waiting in line for a yet-unexperienced roller coaster, I find myself more excited than nervous, ready to let it take me to places many have loved, though some have not.

Yet I will sail my Argo with alacrity and vim to the port of Good Hope, looking for friendly faces in a sea of many colors: woven through with the golden filaments of ubuntu, that richest of fabrics and most youthful of fountains. Various pupils will then, hopefully, become mirrors of nature, reflecting about new light.