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Posted on: 05/17/2006

 Write Away - the Times Educational Supplement
 
This is a competition where schools enter all their children from 7-14 years
old.  The theme is autobiographical and to encourage, support and celebrate
young peoples writing about their own lives, a memorable incident or a
significant person.  Heather's school have been entering this for more than
10 years and nobody has ever got anywhere.  Last year there were 10,000
entries (there were more this year) and 20 winners were picked from this -
10 primary and 10 secondary.

My daughter Heather is one of the 10 secondary chosen this year and she wins
an interactive whiteboard, digital projector, digital camera and DVD player
for the school.  She will receive a PSP and 3 tickets for her to see a
Shakespeare play at The Globe in London.  She receives her award on 6 June
in London at The Globe where it will be presented by Michael Rosen and
Jacqueline Wilson (she will also receive signed editions of their books).

Hope you find it as touching and as inspirational as I did,

One proud Dad

Russ

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Month by Month
 
 One breath.  I glanced around slowly; knowing there was something wrong.  He
 looked at me.  One moment I’ll never forget.  We stared into each other’s
 eyes.  It ended.  I felt it collapse.  To the right I looked, my mother
 crying as if there was no end to her pain.  A heartbeat; my family, my life,
 world’s over.  His mouth opened, words flew out.  I didn’t listen.  I
 couldn’t listen, I already knew.
 
 It was just one of those things you have already heard about but don’t think
 will ever happen.  Tears hit the floor but not mine I was in shock.  It
 wasn’t meant to happen.  Not to me, not to my family.  We weren’t bad.  What
 had I done?  What had he done?  He was in pain, constantly in pain.  I wish
 I could help but I knew I couldn’t.  One day, soon, it will end.  All of it,
 his pain but mine will have only just begun.  I can’t do it.  A never-ending
 struggle, a life without him?  I don’t believe it.  I feel I want my life to
 end so I can’t feel his pain anymore.
 
 But wait.  There’s always a glimmer of hope.  Life isn’t that cruel.  Month
 by month we get a scan.  Good?  Bad?  Better?  Worse?  Well I don’t always
 listen.  I shut it all out, wishing and wishing for it all to end.  It isn’t
 worth the minute of sheer torture finding out.  Oh great, no luck, it’s bad.
 He’s worse.  Like the shining light above his head has gone out, ping.
 Pitch black.
 
 I can’t breathe let me out.  Make it stop, over: A flicker, a flash, a beam
 of light.  Another month, the bulbs back on.  My dad has cancer but is
 surviving so far.  How long until the bulb goes completely out?  A month?
 
 
 Heather Eadie, Aged 13 years
 
 Wirral Grammar School for Girls

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