Minutes
from now each one of us will be leaving this place we called home. It had been
a wonderful year and this was just an ordinary classroom. Now, I believe that
we could all say that it had gone so fast and another chapter of our lives has
ended. Every end opens up to new beginnings. Beginnings that we will all take
part into and will create another set of memories. Memories in another
classroom, with another set of classmates, new set of friends and teachers, new
set of classes and for you a new adviser to deal with.
We
did not start big. We barely knew each other from the start. But it was never
that hard to get along. We started with our first achievement as a class and
more of a family through decorating our humble house. I was proud, we were
proud. I was happy because we seem to connect. And it was a very good
connection indeed. We had a lot of time together, and we did not fail to
capture these memories as a whole. Every time I looked at them, I always say that,
“This is my class. I am lucky to have them and proud to be part of this class.”
And tears will run down my cheeks. Cheesy.
Sometimes
at night I think of what will you all be doing when you get there to the next
level. I always hope that you will be in good hands but sometimes I fear that
you might not be comfortable with where you will be and what’s worst is I will
not be able to do anything about it. It is not wise to trouble ourselves for
things yet to come. But I want you all to remember that I am just down one
level. You can always run to me.
Before
we all leave and bid this place goodbye, let me share some things to each and
every one of you. Things that I have seen in you and things I wanted to tell
you now that I still have the right to say them. (Disclaimer: The following
things you will be hearing might make you cry so please get ready with your own
tissue papers.)
Alvin: You
have the power of knowledge. I hope you will be able to use them wisely and use
it to help others as well. Keep yourself always intact on the ground. You are a
good person, I know you are. Make friends..good friends and take care of them.
Audrey:
Thank you for your diligence. You have served your position well. Always keep a
humble heart that is not easy to temper for it will make you look old easily.
Enjoy life. Don’t trouble yourself with things you cannot change instead deal
with things you can control.
Dhea: I have
given you my understanding and I bet not everyone will be the same, but always
keep in mind that the world maybe harsh, but there will always be people who
will be ready to lift you up. Choose wisely. Stay humble with your gift, this
will either lift you up or bring you down. Stay strong to what you believe is
right.
Celine: My
mom taught me to be a giver and I wish you do the same. Give to the less
fortunate the things you do not deserve. Never settle for anything less. You
know what’s your worth so demand for something more. It is true that tears are
a woman’s greatest weapon, for it is a man’s weakness to see a girl crying. Use
it well. Love is not perfect, but it is with these imperfections we see the
beauty within others. Use your heart at the same time with your head.
Cindy:
Diamonds are made through constant pressure. When life presses you hard, you are
being prepared for something big. Hang-on and stay strong. Believe in yourself
and your talents. You are never alone and you will never be. Stay true to
yourself and to others.
Dhelya: Capturing
moments is a great way to look back at the past. Learn from them but don’t stay
there. There’s a lot more to deal within the present and to look forward in the
future. Keep a true smile. It is your greatest asset.
Gaby: Books
can make you go a thousand miles, introduce new personalities and can give you the
inspiration you need. Pick up the things you learn from reading books and apply
it to reality. Don’t be afraid to try new things and meet cool people, anyway,
you have not met me in the books you have read right? I hope you got what I
mean. Enjoy life. There’s more to life than books and studies. Chase your
dreams wildly and be the person you wanted to be.
Rere: The
class treasure keeper. Sometimes I get pissed with how well you speak with
sarcasm but I realized there are more people around in my work area that pisses
me more than you do. Stay calm and stay humble. You are a trust-worthy guy.
They say money is a devil in material form for it pollutes the minds of the
greedy, but a simple person need not of material things for he is contented
with what he has. You for one is a good man. Keep it up.
Irsyad: Your
childish ways makes me feel young, at least young at heart. Soon you will grow
up and will have more things to deal with. Be prepared for it. Treasure your
parents they love you so much. Hope that you will still be able to recommend
good songs to me. Stay sweet and young at heart.
Jamus: My
quiet little man. It is because of you I learned the value of keeping one’s
mouth shut for things that are unnecessary. Sometimes I feel that I have not
spent much time with you. But I respect your silence and I know you will always
be alright. Speak for the things that you think are right. Don’t be afraid that
you will be judged because of what you say. Smile. You won’t know if someone
gets interested with your smile.
Johann:
You’re street smart. You seem to know more things about anything and
everything. Control your emotions. Stay calm and be a good friend, I know you
are.
Kevin:
Perseverance is the key. Your hard work has paid off. I learned patience from
you. I am sorry if most of the time I am not good to talk to. I know you can
sense that. You have a very sensitive heart. I may not have shown you how
concerned, how I care and how happy I am to know that you made it, because
honestly, from the very start knowing your academic status, I said to myself
that I will make you as my project this year, that if I will not be able to
make you pass, I will go back home to where I truly belong. But you made me
stay for another year here. Thanks for that. I wish you success in all your
aspirations.
Michelle:
Good things come to those who wait but it would be better if you know how to
grab them fast. Explore. Be yourself. Be a risk taker. Don’t hold anything
back. Have you tried breaking some rules? If not, try it and tell me how it
feels. Do something for yourself. It is okay to sometimes reward oneself of
things we think we do not deserve. You have loving parents and a brother who
will always be there to protect you. Treasure the bond you have with your
family and friends.
Nethania:
When I saw you cry after knowing you passed grade 8, I swear its like recorded
in mind and every time I remember it, I got teary eyed. During that moment, I
felt proud of myself. Always keep your hopes up and move to the direction of
these hopes. Never let anything come to your way. Success will be yours if you
truly desire it. Get inspiration from your parents, friends, classmates and
teachers. It will help you a lot not only in school but also to your future endeavors.
You’ve done a great job. Keep it up!
Raihan: Still
remember when you ask for advice on how to deal with problems of the heart?
Remember too the first time you did not smile on our class pic, right after the
Teacher’s Appreciation Day? I know I told you I was not satisfied with your
performance and I do hope you understand why I said that. Thanks for the trust
and the company as well. You’re the kind of guy who loves deeply but learn to
keep some for yourself. Temper is your greatest enemy. Learn to control it so
you will not be able to hurt others with your words and with your actions.
Remember that whatever said and done, cannot be taken again.
Nadhira: Thanks for lending me the book. Sorry if I was
not able to finish it, got tied with things and it is only but occasional I got
to get a hang-on with reading. Thank you for being an obedient student and a
respectful child. At first I thought you’re going to be trouble by giving me
some non-sense attitude, but you were not. You were the reverse of what I
thought of. And I am glad I was wrong. Continue to be a person who is always
ready to offer a helping hand to others.
Natasya:
When you are bound to lose things, you are bound to get new ones. Don’t fret on
things that did not work out even though you have done your best. There are
really things in this world that does not require change but more of
acceptance. Accept humbly what comes to you. Stay sweet, true and humble. With
what you lack from height now, you have replaced it more with the goodness in
your heart. Don’t bother much on how high you stand, remember too that there
are things you can do that others find difficulty in doing.
Diva: You
are unique in any way possible. I am happy that you belong to our class. Though
there are a lot of things that seemed to be similar between you and your twin,
it’s only you who truly knows yourself. Don’t be afraid to stand out, to be
different it is your right. I may not have taught you the importance of time
this year; I do hope that you will be able to learn it soon. For time is gold.
Whatever lost time will never be regained again. Stay active and keep that
smiling face.
Olive: Thank
you for helping me to take good care of your classmates. It has been an honor
for me that you belong in my class. Thanks for assisting the class for things
that they have been in need of during the past months. You’re a talented person
and a lovable sister and daughter. I hope you will not fail your parents. You
are their pride and you have been mine this year. Thanks for making me a proud
CA.
Prada: Of
the 25 kiddos here in class, I think I have been too hard on you. And with
that, I want to apologize for making you cry every time I have to teach you a
lesson. I could still remember the time when I have to send you out because of
the hair cut issue then you cried. You were not able to had hair cut that time
because of the death of your grandfather. Sorry if I have been selfish and
always go by the book. I do hope that you do your best to gain friends and not
enemies. I know you are a playful kid but be sensitive also.
Shafira: My
smiling angel, still remember the time I called you that? When you thought I
have forgotten to greet you on your special day? I was good right? I was able
to make you believe I truly forgot it but I never did. Sorry if it made you
upset that day. Fira, your greatest asset is your smile. It’s your natural
magnet. With your smile and cheerful personality, you tend to attract people
and not only people but positive vibes. Thanks for reminding me to smile
everyday especially during tough times. You are one of a kind. Stay humble too
and don’t ever think that you are less than a person because of your skin
color. I wish you become what you wanted to be in the near future.
Teddy: I
remember during the first few months of the year when you cried and had a fight
with Agathon and Prada. During that time, when I talked to you, I felt like I
was a father already. I even thought if I ever wanted to have a family and
children, and I said that time, “I think I wanted to.” Anyway, Teddy, at your
age I can sense maturity in you. And I do hope you would stay positive and
happy. I know that there are times that things are hard to accept. Learn to
accept and learn to let go. Don’t dwell in anger and sadness. You are capable
of making people happy you just have to try.
Grace: Your
talent in drawing is exceptional. Develop this talent that you have so you
could convey your feelings to others whom you think will have a hard time
understanding you. You have a good personality; you just have to open yourself
more to others. Use your talent to inspire others and be an object of
inspiration.
William: You
are the type of person who knows how to listen. It’s rare to find a boy who
will not fight back when corrected by his senior. I saw in you the goodness of
listening and accepting one’s fault. You have a good heart that when you know
you are wrong, you instantly and sincerely say sorry for it. With your
personality like that, I can say you’re parents have raised you well. Keep that
attitude of knowing how and when to listen. I envy you for having that kind of
trait. I will miss your playfulness. And in addition, I remember when you gave
me a hug last week and said that you might not have the chance to do that
again. I hope you’re wrong on that. Stay cool.
Agathon: I
think of all 8E kiddos here, your name is the name I mostly call or say even
when you are not around. How I wish that every time I will call your name,
money will come out of my pocket. And I will be the richest man on Earth. But
of course that will never happen. Agathon, I have never considered you to be a
pain in the neck, pain in the ass or pain wherever in my class. It is your
carefree and spontaneous attitude that I will be missing. From all the things I
have heard from your past teachers, I think they are talking about another
Agathon. I admit, and I think your classmates would agree that, without you in
this class, it will never be a memorable class like this. I am happy I have you
in my class; we have you in our class. That it is with this happiness that it
is hard to let you all go.
With all these things said and done, I always
thank God that He has been good to me this year. I may have lost a lot of
things already this year that you have no idea of, but it’s good that I did not
lose you all. You all have been a blessing to me. You all are the reason why I
wanted to go up in bed and go to work. Thank
you for being such wonderful individuals. I too have learned a lot from you for
this year. And I will always look back on these days that we had. It was indeed
a great year. It was never long and it was not that short, just enough for us
to know each other. Thank you.
With all these said and done, I wish you would
be able to forgive me for all the things I have failed to do, for all the
things that caused you sadness and pain, for making you cry and for
misunderstanding you. Just like you and everyone else, I am not perfect.
I wish I could make two worlds meet, so you
would be able to meet the first students I have treated this way and treated me
this way in the Philippines. I could imagine how wonderful it would be. I told
them our stories and I could feel how jealous they were because what I did to
them before and what they did to me, happened again in your class for the
second time in my seven years of being an educator.
I wish you all well and hope that you would
never forget that once in our merry lives, our paths have crossed; our lives
have intertwined and formed a bond that nothing can compare. I wish we could do
these again in the future and catch up with what we have been doing.
And before I end this long letter of mine, let me ask one more thing from all
of you. Please do me a favor, please take good care of yourselves because I may
still be around when you go up there but I will lose all the right to take good
care all of you since someone else will be replacing my place and I will have
to take good care of new souls too.
Always remember, “mahal na mahal kayo ni PaoPao
(PaoPao loves you very much) and I am proud I am 8Edmonton, we are 8Edmonton.”
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