Contribution to a Worthy Cause

Hey Dear,

Today I made a trip down to RGS. I have a feeling that this will not be the last time that I'll be visiting the school.

The moment I drove into the familiar school compound, I saw images of you everywhere. Waiting for me at the gate, talking to students in front of the car porch, chit-chatting with your colleagues in front of the general office, marking the students' scripts diligently at your desk, sharing a joke or two with your colleagues at the pantry... images of you literally everywhere.

It's always very emotional for me whenever I visit the school, even now. As I waited at the general office for Regina, I took a long hard look across the walk-way leading up to the teacher's common room. How I wished you could have spent more time in that room fussing over students' works, discussing with your colleagues on the curriculum, pondering over next day's lessons and finally looking forward to my arrival to pick you up from school. You could have made a lot more contribution to the society, sculpting the future of the next generation and inspiring more students with your personal touches. By all means I assure you my dear, your contribution does not end here.

Deep in my thoughts, I did not realize that Regina, your lovely E Lang Dept head whom you had always spoken so fondly of, had walked into the general office. A dedicated teacher like you, she has spent her career contributing to the worthy cause of education. I salute both of you.

We shook hands and sat down to discuss the use of the monetary contribution your parents and I have decided to donate to the school in your memory. A fruitful conversation ensued as Regina's eyes beamed, talking about the school's plans to set aside the funds for two worthy causes. One is to award those overseas students who have shown tremendous improvement in their work. They will name the awards after you and give them out during speech day every year. Another part of the funds will be channelled to help those students in need of emergency funds to tide them over financial difficulties. All in all, I'm convinced that the funds are in good hands and that the school will make sure that the funds will be put to good use. I'm convinced.

Regina said that she estimated that the funds might be used and stretched for as long as 20 years! That means that you will still be helping students for the next 20 years! The thought of it warmed my heart, through and through. Seriously I'm not so sure about the funds lasting 20 years but having said that, I promise you that in my limited capacity, I will continue to help to ensure that it does last 20 years in terms of future contributions. You know why I'm doing this, my dear, you know me well.

We shook hands once again as the conversation drew to an end. Before I left, she passed me two Chinese essays compilation magazines (one for me, one for your parents) in which some of your students had written a few essays in your memory. I dare not read them there and then. I was sure that if I do that, I would not be able to control my emotions. I had tried hard to contain my emotions throughout the whole trip and I wouldn't want my effort to be wasted at the last hurdle. I bade a hurried farewell to Regina for one last time and made my escape to the sanctity of my car as fast as I could, holding the two magazines close to me. I wanted to read the essays.

I went inside the car, started the engine and eagerly read the essays. Your students spoke fondly of you. In one of the essays, one of your secondary 3 student wrote on the impact you'd made to her learning of the English Language and the personal touches that you've showered on her as you patiently guided her through her learning.

Overwhelmed by emotions, I made my way out of the school, hoping that no one had seen me in my state. As I drove through the familiar streets leading out from RGS, I sobbed uncontrollably. Sense of loss again took its toll on me. I went for a long drive and let my emotions flowed freely. I needed to release my bottled up emotions as much as I could.

As I turned into my house's carpark, I felt a sense of relief that I'd not experienced for months. I stopped the engine and sat in the car for a few moments, reflecting on the whole day's events.

Dear, you are still in the hearts and thoughts of many. You've touched so many people with your simple approach to life. Your presence is still felt everywhere. Your voices still fill the air and your smiles still fresh in our memories. Your legacy lives on... We all miss you.