My family had a new year's tradition...every 31st of December, we gathered in the seating room to eagerly wait for the new year! At the stroke of midnight, we would bid the old year farewell led by Maama who always composed a short song which we sang along with her! We then welcomed the new year with a prayer often led by Baaba & Maama and then reviewed our resolutions for the past year and congratulated those who had achieved theirs. We would each mention our resolutions and these would be recorded in our resolution book. Baaba's resolutions always included finding more time for us. This meant among other things being available to visit us on our school visiting days. He tried to make it and whenever he couldn't, he would write a letter. Recently, I found one such letter .....hand written in a very beautiful handwriting. Unedited, it reads:
Hullo Susan,
It is quite long since I last saw and talked to you. All the same, I hope that you are alright and that you are pushing on with your studies.
I thought I would have a chance of visiting you before the exams start but unfortunately this has not been possible. I am therefore dropping this line to you to re-assure you that success is yours as long as you observe the rules of the game.
The first golden rule is to keep calm. Don't panic. Take it easy and keep relaxed throughout the exam.
The second one is that, read through the whole paper once and make sure that you understand what they want you to do. As you read through, keep on ticking the numbers that you think you can do.
The third rule is that read through the paper a second time - this time selecting the numbers that you can do by section as per requirements of the paper. After selecting the numbers you will attempt, now choose and start with the simplest of them all. You now proceed by attempting the next simplest - ending up with the hardest one. If you cannot get the numbers required in the paper - that is if they want you to answer six questions but you can only pick five - don't worry. Answer the five very well - you will pass. Remember, you don't need 100% to get a good pass!
The fourth rule is that if a paper has a compulsory number and you don't fully understand it, you simply ignore it. First answer the others that you know very well and then if there is still time, you can attempt the compulsory number right at the end.
The fifth rule, is that don't leave the exam room before the allotted time is over. If you feel you have answered all the questions required of you and there is still more time, please now read through your answers checking for spelling mistakes, addition mistakes, calculation errors plus any other things that you may have done wrongly.
The sixth rule is that always show your workings properly explaining from step one to the last step. During your checking after finishing, don't rush to cross out a number you have done because of a small calculation error before you have corrected it as you may run short of time and fail to complete the correction and then miss the marks for the working. Remember the answer itself carries very little marks - as far as calculations are concerned.
Finally, the seventh rule is the first one. It is a must. One must not panic. Avoid discussing papers you have finished as some false alarms may cause you problems during the subsequent papers.
Let me conclude by assuring you that we are all praying for you. I have my hopes in you and with God's help, I hope you will certainly make it. I wish you the best of luck that God can give. Stay well and take good care of yourself.
Your loving father,
James
28/10/92
Even though it was written 27 years ago, its content is still so relevant. I will share it with my Atamba after tailoring the content to her current P.7 class. I believe, I will use it for Marky too. Its truly timeless advice.
Dear Baaba, on this day when we'd have been celebrating your 72nd birthday...I celebrate and treasure you! Thank you for being such a loving father. I am grateful for all the beautiful memories.
Rest in peace our dearest!
