Swim little fishy, swim

Every Sunday afternoon we take Peanut to a swimming lesson. We’ve been taking her for nearly 3 years and after all those lessons, when it was just splashing about and group songs, we’re finally starting to see a return on our investment.

Husband used to go into the pool with her but since New Year she’s had to go in on her own. We thought she’d hate it but it seems to have done her the world of good. Before she wouldn’t put her face in the water or jump in on her own, now she does all of that. We sat proudly poolside applauding her achievements as she smiles the biggest smile back to us, full of pride in herself.

Where she goes for these lessons is a very big, very old, private school on the edge of our town. It reminds us of Hogwarts from the Harry Potter films with its quadrangle, manicured lawns, and ‘tradition for excellence’.

While waiting for husband and Peanut to emerge from the changing rooms, in amongst all the sports team photos dating back 50 years, I noticed a handwritten poem hung quietly on the wall. It read like this:

If you think you're beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you've lost.
For out in the world we find -
Success begins with a person's will,
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself,
Before you can win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go,
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later the man who wins,
Is the one who thinks he can.

While we could never entertain the £100,000 fees for Peanut to attend, I could feel today what this money was going to buy. A will to succeed. A will to do well. An attitude towards life perhaps only the very best State schools could instill. Luckily for us the State school Peanut is [fingers crossed] hopefully going to attend is one of the very best, so she should do ok.