Thursday 12 May 2016

Alma Mater Chronicles: What Happens When You Go Back?

Young girl smiling

Back to the Alma Mater. No, not University of Lagos. Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls' Secondary School {R.M.B.G.S.S}, and yes, I reaaaaaally do have to write it in full. Write 'Reagan Baptist Secondary School' or 'Reagan Girls' School' or any other thing, and you're not talking about the wonderful school I attended. Nope!

Now that that's been settled, let's talk about the lessons. Of course, I didn't go there to sit in a class or anything but you know what they say about the School of Life- you never graduate. I was at Reagan with Longtime Bae, AY, and couldn't help picking up these:


1. It's good to be good {sounds corny, but true}

Going back to school after almost 8 years should be nostalgic for anybody, but the reception we got? Something else altogether. At some point during our visit, I teased AY about being a Celeb. Somehow she was of the opinion that the teachers remembered her name because of her popular sister who back then, was a year ahead of us. I told her I didn't think so. Yes, big sister was a 'popular good girl' and you might say that is why your name stuck. But the warmth & happiness with which you were welcomed? That's all you, girl; your footprints speaking for you. I doubt this would have been the case if all they had of us were bad memories.

Smiling friends

2. Stay Relevant; Keep Fulfilling Purpose

After all the mushy "Aww, our old girls" came the inquisitive "You're done with school, abi?" "So what are you doing now?" "Have you started working?". This is why many folks will not attend a Reunion. We never want to come off as failures before people. Now, this is not to score a point for unnecessary comparison {even the Bible describes that as foolish!} but to establish the importance of improving oneself. In the long run, fulfilling purpose is not even for the benefit of others; it is for YOU. To wrap it up nicely, 

"Stay in your Lane, but KEEP MOVING!" - Mary Scott, 2016 

3. Your Audience is larger than you know

You know people will always talk. But you know what? They're only a tiny percentage of the folks OBSERVING! One of our old teachers asked us "When are we getting your wedding invitation? It's your set that is getting married now o". He then went on to analyse how our graduating set was now at the marriage 'level'. 'ol boy, I was weak. See folks that I'd not seen in almost 8 years keeping neat tabs on moi! 

4. No condition is permanent

We took a selfie in the Principal's orvice! The same office that, some eight years back, looked to us like Robben Island. Who born you to enter Princi's office anyhow? And even if by some divine orchestration you find yourself there, who are you not to dress properly, talk only when addressed and be the ultimate Lady?

Two friends smiling

We saw Reaganites with plaited hair. The same hair that we were begging school to allow us plait dah year. The struggle was real! We were banned from bringing up the topic. Who were we to want to plait our hair when we could 'barber' it? So for six years, we proudly carried our low cuts. But these sweethearts that we saw, knew nothing of that life. 
It's not just another cliche. No condition is really permanent.

Peace and Chocolate Cake,
Mary     

No comments:

Post a Comment