A Mother’s Wisdom: Take The Drugs

For several years, I had the privilege of teaching chess to the bright and animated children of a small day school in North London. The school was a haven for creativity, a place where kids were encouraged to be themselves, and the parents were nothing short of remarkable. Among them, one mother stood out, a woman named Sylvia, who left an indelible mark on me.

Sylvia was a fascinating individual, raising three children, each with their unique personalities, who would regularly attend my chess club. Over time, I watched as each of her children improved and blossomed. The eldest, in particular, began on the B team but through unwavering commitment and hard work, climbed his way to the bottom board of the 1st team, a feat that filled him with pride. His gratitude was palpable, but what struck me even more was how he, in turn, inspired and motivated his siblings to excel in the game.

Initially, I didn’t particularly warm to Sylvia. She came across as a bit reserved, often appearing at the school in her designer pumps with an air of detachment. She seemed to demand more of my time than I could spare, at the most inconvenient moments, and her true intentions remained a puzzle to me.

However, my perspective on her changed during a chess tournament, where we found ourselves seated together, sipping wine. In that moment, Sylvia shared a depth…