This post is a continuation of my last post about
our teacher. Since the dinner ceremony which culminated in the presentation of
the vehicle, there have been many postings on social media about him. There have
been requests to interview him and even his fellow teachers. There have even
been those who questioned why he was the chosen one among our many teachers and
why that particular vehicle. There were those who said he was a very lucky man
indeed, those who said he must be well loved, and even those who quickly
reached the assumption that the alumni must be made of very wealthy ladies
indeed.
Why was he singled out? Well, he was the only teacher
we had who dedicated his whole career to the school, to teaching us. Why that
particular vehicle? Apparently he did share that he liked that vehicle. Anyway,
believe me, if we could’ve gotten him something else, even the stars and moon,
we would for all his sacrifice and just so that the stars and moon could light
his path forever. So many batches chipped in so one did not have to contribute
thousands. Average it out. We just contributed according to our means. He deserved
so much more but that was all we could afford to give him.
To those who said he was a lucky man, well, yes, he
was. But as students, we are the lucky ones to have been guided and taught by
great teachers. We were taught to respect our teachers and this is just a small
way of showing our love, appreciation and gratitude to the humblest, kindest, respectful
person with the patience of an angel who we’ve had the pleasure of knowing. He was
our elder brother, mentor and friend. He walked through that path of hardship
while ensuring we succeed. It’s not just his former students who thought the
world of him, even his peers thought he was the kindest, most decent
person. Throughout, he remained humbled, respectful, polite and full of
humility. He thinks the best of everyone else. He said he was surrounded by the
best fellow teachers and principal. He said he had the best students although
some may take a longer time to figure things out, to find their way. He said he
was just an ordinary teacher who had the opportunity to work with the best. The
best person among us does not go around telling the world he’s the best because
the others will realise it themselves. The best person among us does not need
validation from others. From the many stories shared by sisters, I realised how
lucky we were to have crossed paths with this incredible awesome person. Even
though he gave the best years of his life to teaching, he was frustrated because
he didn’t think he’d done enough. He was so dedicated and sincere in his
teaching that he even held special one-to-one classes to those who needed extra
sessions. He really had our best interests at heart.
I wish I had the benefit and pleasure of having been
taught by him back in school. Still, after all these years of having left
school, amazingly, he is still teaching me life lessons on always striving to be
a better person. It’s not everyday that you can find a gentleman who believed
in mischievous girls, who kept telling us we are capable and that we just haven’t
figured out the way, who is an inspiration to both students and teachers, and
who empowered as many girls as he did.
Thank you, teacher, for all you’ve done for us and
the school, for enabling us to keep the school flag flying high, for the life
lessons you continue to teach, for inspiring us, in short for everything, and
for being simply the best. Our lives are richer and more meaningful for having
known you. Alhamdulillah.
* photos nicked from FB again
|