Endings

Today marked the Raging Vegan’s final day of school. Forever. The culmination of 12 long years. It felt long but it actually flew by. I never thought we’d get to this point and now we’ve arrived.

When I first met her she wore the same purple and green Gap tights and Sponge Bob vest. Everyday and everywhere we went. She was 7 years old. She had just started grade one at Crawford College in Sandton. She had started at King David first but left owing to bullying and now was facing the same fate at Crawford. I remember week day mornings, the screaming. The Spy Chiatrist tried to put on her school uniform and I was worried the neighbours thought we were performing an exorcism, it was that bad. The school refusal was scary for me. What would happen to this child if she couldn’t even go to school…

Fast forward 12 years, 12 years of stability provided myself and her biological mother. 12 years of therapy. Each with our own therapist. Couples therapists and school therapists. They saved our family. And so did our hard work, what started as a very rocky relationship has now made it into a space where we all feel safe.

12 years on she has excelled beyond all our expectations – her school blazer looks like a Christmas tree, elaborately decorated with silver and gold scrolls. She did good. The move to Cape Town has been a really positive one and the quality of education, support and nurturing at Herzlia has been incredible. She went to 5 schools before Herzlia and it was here that she excelled.

She has a beautiful Neshoma (soul). Apart from being damn smart, she’s a fighter for women’s rights, human rights, animal rights, a more sustainable planet. A good friend, loyal, supportive and fun. Courageous – the bravest gal I know. A mensch.

And now for new beginnings. Filled with trepidation. Will she realise her dream of getting in Drama at UCT (only 30 places available) or a gap year to explore and become more of an adult. Fending for herself in uncharted territory. Who knows? All we do know for sure is that there will be bumps along the road. We will hold on tight but confident we’ll be able to endure – as a family, as great supporters of one another.