THE LESSON FOR TODAY

I would like to thank Audrey Goodsen for her thoughts, and also
respond to Mr. Wayne Munice. The school of hard knocks is a clever way
to say how life teaches us all wisdom. But make no mistake, it's not
only about the number of years attended; it's up to the individual to
extract lessons of their own.

By being brave enough to voice her opinion, Audrey will learn that
everyone will not always agree with you, and Mr. Munice has been the
teacher. But if she learns nothing else, I hope it's this: never be
afraid to be idealistic. Reality is what we make it. On the sprawling
campus of this "university" is a whole library dedicated to ideals,
not all of which will become reality, but all of which can be voiced
and used as inspiration.

There were many elders who could have told Jesus, at the age of 30, he
was wrong, that he should live longer and then he would understand
reality. there were probably many who did. But he stuck by his hopes
and in the course changed the world. I hope Audrey never loses that
part of her that is courageous enough to speak out for her fellow man
when she believes they are being treated unfairly.

I hope that Mr. Munice can regain the part of himself that was once as
idealistic. The abuse of drugs in this country is a serious problem,
and one that needs both idealism and experience to solve. Cooperation
might be the lesson for today.

MATTHEW T. WATKINS
Macon