by Duncan Coldstream

Created on: June 15, 2008

When I was nine years old I won the junior scholarship prize at my boarding school. The prize entailed having my name inscribed on a small silver cup that was displayed amongst its much larger sporting brethren, within a glass fronted case in the school entrance. It was a particularly fine display case standing at least six feet in height, three feet in depth, and eight feet in length. The school entrance was out of bounds to students, but I had still managed to sneak a peek one night. It was difficult to see my little cup, but I was thrilled to spot it partially hidden by the rugby first team captain's cup.

I was overjoyed with my achievement, and was still full of it as we children were shipped off to our Grandmother's house in the Scottish Borders for our annual summer holiday.
We arrived late in the evening and politeness dictated that this wasn't the time for childrens tales.
I had difficulty in keeping my wonderful news to myself, and it was with amazing self control that I waited until breakfast the next morning to tell my Grandmother the great news. Her response to that beam of sunlight in my life was like a cold November rain.
"One who seeks validation for an achievement is generally not worthy of it." She said. She was an ex-English teacher and had a way with words.
I went from the heights of elation to the depth of self loathing within the space of one sentence. Her words have stuck with me ever since. She was never the cuddliest of Grandmothers, but if you could look past the ice, her words had a warm point. She was always trying to teach. I just wasn't always an instant student.

Today is Fathers Day, and was up at seven so that I could complete all my chores in time for me to lounge around on the couch this afternoon and watch Tiger Woods play in the US Open.
I had cleaned the kitchen, emptied the cat pans, started my laundry for the coming work week, and was taking the garbage out to the road, when an elderly gentleman in a Buick stopped on the verge next to me.
He looked at the garbage cans. "It's Fathers Day you know?" He said.
"Yes I know. That's why I'm getting everything done early today." I replied.
He looked surprised, and his glance landed on my stepsons cars. Both were sitting next to each other, and had been decorated at school with the usual graduating class graffiti. It was obvious that the house had at least two teenagers at home. The old boy pointed at them.
"Why don't you have them do your chores today?"
It hadn't even occurred to me. "I don't

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>