The feature picture above was taken in 2010, just before the Soccer World Cup. It was the only year that Lorenzo, Fabio and I would ever be at the same school together. Fabio was in Grade 0, Lorenzo was in Grade 10 and I was in Grade 12.

This week, Fabio went on Grade 8 camp which is basically an induction into high school. On Monday he will start his first day there.

It’s a little scary for me…. this milestone puts into perspective just how much time has passed since then. It also makes me realize how much has changed.

Exploring the Mental Yardstick

On the other hand, it’s interesting to use these occasions as comparative points. Because Grade 8 camp was such a big deal, I remember it in great detail. And I can bring to mind feelings, thoughts and experiences from then.

It strikes me how much more mature I thought I was then. I had reached the big league. And even though I remember feeling terrified, I felt very very grown up.

I also felt like I was contending with enormous issues, particularly at the end of grade 8. And though they were big for me at the time, the years since then have shown me that issues can have orders of magnitude much much higher.

After contemplating this, two notable thoughts arose. The first links to my five years forward post; that these yardsticks are important for putting your current position in context. When Fabio is 25 I’ll look back and think about the differences between the lives of a 25 year old and a 37 year old.

Secondly, it made me aware that, despite the issues of a 13 year old seeming insignificant from this distance, they most certainly are not. I know that at that age your problems are, let’s say, level 10. And at this age they can reach level 70. Level 10 looks easy from this angle. But when you’ve only ever dealt with level 9s, a level 10 will rock your world. Being cognizant of this informs how you approach and manage a person of that age. It creates an awareness and an understanding that can be more constructive towards a positive relationship with them.

Grade 8 and beyond

Seeing Fabio go on grade 8 camp stirred up all sorts of thoughts, memories and feelings. And they’ve been fun to explore. And I can’t wait to follow his development while gently looking back and tracking my own 🙂

Image was taken in Fabio’s grade 0 classroom on the last day of school before the World Cup 🙂

Thesis update: supervisor tried to postpone our meeting. I managed to catch him walking from his car so I held the meeting anyway. Got some great feedback

Blog 66/365.