Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.
The Year towards young adulthood was wholesome. No tension specifically in terms of finance like what I do now. The only worries was life after this yet all the enjoyment makes it wonderful. How about yours dear readers.
When we were young, we didn’t have a TV, so we rarely got to watch it, let alone a TV series. Even when we did watch, it was from the CD player, as the villagers didn’t have a signal to connect or a place to subscribe to channels. The one channel I remember was Tom and Jerry. We would run to our neighbors’ places to watch it and sometimes even had to contend with the elders for the channel, as they were uninterested in watching it. We were teenagers back then. I vividly remember the joy and laughter we shared with our cousins and talked about it after the show.
Gone are the days when we’d watch over three rupees dried Mattar and 50 paise sweets. We would quarrel about eating too much and too fast, not sharing with the others. We would also trick the younger ones into eating more than them—haha. Reminiscing about it gives me nostalgia. Thanks for this daily prompt topic.
One of the best places I’ve visited so far is Leh Ladakh, India. Initially, I wasn’t familiar with the location and had limited knowledge about it. Formerly part of Jammu and Kashmir, it was known for its apples, snow, and share disputed borders with Pakistan and China (That was what I knew before visiting Leh Ladakh).
I traveled there with a group of young people for a leadership training program that included international students. Proudly representing India and the Northeast, we embarked on this journey. Upon arrival, we had to acclimate to the climatic conditions and high altitude at the airport before proceeding to our destination.
Adapting to the altitude was challenging for me, especially due to my sinusitis. As someone who often breathes through my mouth rather than my nose, I was bedridden for a week, missing out on opportunities to explore and play in the snow.
Despite the initial setback, our experience in Leh Ladakh was filled with exciting activities. We hiked, rode camels, kayaked downstream, visited monuments and stupas, savored Ladakhi cuisine, immersed ourselves in Ladakhi culture, and learned about their lifestyles. We spent time at the SECMOL campus, listened to inspiring speakers, and even had the privilege of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama, gaining enlightenment from his wisdom.
The trip provided a comprehensive package of new friendships, cultural insights, navigating through young adult life, and most importantly, an understanding of the impact of global warming and environmental changes on glaciers, the natural habitat of the snow leopard, and the local vegetation. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope to return one day to relive it, of course, in good health. That was a wholesome trip, and the memories are truly cherished.
Recently, I came across a perseverant man in his early 60s who decided to step into my classroom to polish his skills in English. He had experienced life from a heavy blow to the highest point of satisfaction. His love for films and movies can never be extinguished. After fulfilling the duties of being a father to his two children (they are well settled with life now), he is now ready to fly off with his wings wide open. He says life is all about doing what we love because we don’t know when, but one day we should be ready to go as death is inevitable. A faithful and eager learner, he makes sure to be present every single day, despite the fact that on most normal days, he will have to say goodbye to his friends, relatives, and loved ones. As these goodbyes might be the last journeys for them, yet with agility, he will smile and attend my class after sending them off.
At first, I thought he was giving me lame excuses, as there couldn’t be a day where he had to send off his loved ones every alternate day. However, when I recount his age and theirs, I apologize to myself for my short-sightedness. Life truly is moving at a very fast pace. We would often ask him about his childhood and be amazed by how fast the world has changed within six decades.
Despite the fact that he is a grandpa to most of my other students, he is always the one who makes them feel that learning is all about courage and effort. He never stops himself from answering the questions being asked or the assignments being given. Instead, he would laugh it off and say he’s a kindergartener, being lenient with himself when his answers were wrong. Honestly speaking, I feel undeserving to be teaching him. At first, I thought it would be a big challenge for me because I had never had a student of his age. I was definitely reluctant to accept him into the class, yet I gave myself a chance to accept individuals as they are and never judge them for who they are. I’d say I really used the principle of social workers—the principle of non-judgmental attitude.
I am glad I did not turn him away, and I am grateful that my other students did not despise or ridicule him. Instead, they are accepting him and learning together with him as a classmate. They laugh, learn, and share experiences together, giving me the energy to get up every morning and be ready for class. I am indeed grateful to have them in my classroom.
