Principal

Tough Week for All

Last Wednesday, we were all devastated to hear of the loss of one of our own – Archer Gray.

There are times in our lives when something happens to make us feel very sad. This might be when we lose someone or something we love very much. The death of a friend like Archer, a relative, or even a pet can make us feel lost and unhappy. We cannot understand why it has happened.

Sadly, death is a part of life. Every living thing is born into this life, and everything eventually dies.

When someone dies, we do not see them again and we miss them very much, but we do not forget them, and they live on in our memory.

Once the first pain and shock of losing them is over, we may begin to talk about the good times we had when they were alive. It is good to talk about them. This helps us to deal with the loss.

When I lost my mother suddenly two years ago, someone sent me this story. It helped me to understand things more clearly. Perhaps it will help you too.

Once upon a time there were two little caterpillars. One was called Cathy and the other was called Carl. They lived happily together with lots of other caterpillars, munching away at the thick green cabbage leaves, getting bigger and fatter each day.

One day Carl experienced a strange taste in his mouth. He felt cold but the silken thread coming from his jaws felt warm and comforting, so with twisting and twirling movements he wrapped it around his body. Soon he was completely covered.

Cathy did not recognize Carl anymore. She tried to speak to him but there was no reply. She felt very sad and alone. She missed her friend terribly.

Then one day not long afterwards she too experienced the same strange taste and the same cold feeling. The silken saliva oozed from her jaws, and she felt she needed to cover herself with its soothing slime. As it enveloped her, she felt contented and sleepy. Her eyes closed and she drifted into unconsciousness.

After resting for several weeks Cathy began to stir. She felt strange and different, the same Cathy yet not the same - very odd. The brightness and the warmth around her encouraged her to explore her surroundings. She found herself on the stem of a leafy green plant. On each side of her body, beautiful white wings were gradually inflating in the sunlight. After a while she was able to spread them and glide gracefully into the air.

All at once she was aware of another white-winged creature beside her. As soon as he spoke, she knew it was Carl, who had been waiting for her. She was so happy for at last they were reunited.

The caterpillars had undergone the process known as metamorphosis.

For me, the story illustrated the Easter resurrection story. Jesus' friends thought that he was gone forever and they were sad, upset and even frightened because their leader had gone. Then, three days later, he appeared to them. He was the same but not the same, he had gone through death and changed. This is what Christians describe as resurrection.

I like to think of my mother, and now Archer, as having undergone a metamorphosis – moving from one state to another. I am comforted by the thought I will do the same one day myself and when it’s over, I will be reunited with the people that I loved that just went through it before me.

In Memoriam

We pray for Old Boy Joel Andrade ('10) who sadly passed away last week. We keep his family in our prayers. His funeral will be held at Holy Family Church in Granville at 10:30 AM on Friday 18 November.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything!

**except divide by zero