Seasons of Empty Nest

There comes a time in a mother’s life when she knows she has to let go of her children because they have all grown up and they need to explore the world on their own.

It happens to all mothers, be they human or not.

It is the way of life. A mentor nurtures the young and once the young has matured, they now have to go and spread their wings.

How about the non-maternal beings of this planet? Do they experience the same poignant pangs of these kinds of seasons?

Probably not.

That is why I am glad I have chosen to become a teacher. At least, I could vicariously experience how it is to become a mother, through the student’s I teach, formally or informally.

The school year is about to close and I am about to loose about 300 hundred babies. The little babies with whom I spent most of my 200 or so days of teaching time.

I would miss my first year kids especially the nicely naughty ones and the really serious ones whose personalities I tried to dissect without much success.

I would also miss the senior members of the Debating Club.(Yes, I got over the debating slump because the kids are now quite cooperative and have become involved).

Vanessa, Lyzander, Rey, Shannen, Milrose, Martin, Margielyn, Rozelle, the elusive Xyza Ara Mae, Katrina, Jayrick, and James. I will miss these kids.

The other day, I made an idle remark about the eventuality of their graduation. I guess I was surprised at how fast the year has come to an end. Shannen and Martin are very eager to graduate.

Katrina is still feeling her way around her course. Jayrick is quite excited about his school. Milrose is also looking forward to her nursing stint and Rey, well, whatever Rey and James are up to, my prayers are with them.

The D’Club Babies are about to graduate! Hooray.

This batch of debaters are the Best Certified Debaters I have ever met, so far. (Hehe, gabawi lang guys). I think I am going to really miss them.

In fact, going to Iloilo feels a lot more empty now that I have memories of these people with me. I keep thinking about how Milrose loves to eat, how Rey loves to talk, how Jayrick loves to smile as if he knows something we don’t and how Shannen keeps quite and watches people. I will never forget your secret Sha.

And Vanessa, I wish I have more time with you. Kanimu man Kate. Indi na kamu sweet ni Rey haw? What happened, guys? I missed the laughers and the songs and the crazy banter the two of you usually share.

To Rey, do not forget your friends. Remember, true friends are very rare nowadays. You will never really realize how important something or someone is until you lost him/her/it.

Until now, my lack of appreciation for my highschool best friend who spoiled me with her tolerant affection and deep abiding loyalty still haunts me. I wish I was able to give back as much as she gave to me in the past but I have been so selfish and self-centered. I only realize how special she is when we had to part ways and she had to move another island.

Anyway, Rey, I am holding you to that promise of a boyfriend ha. Basi may mga instructors or teachers kamu to nga puwede kanakon, hehe. You know the kind of guy I like, big and bearlike. Dang nami i-hug. Make sure he had enough to say for himself (not about himself lang). And make it, ten years from now. That is, kun indi pako madre by that time ( I am seriously contemplating what Ma’am Flo said, you know). Kun Sister Heaven nako, then, tagua na lang sa, indi na ako pag i-tempt.

To Kate, teacher ka bala. It would be good for you. And you will be good for the students. Your sensitivity is one factor. English major ka busli ako di.
I want to leave the club to very capable hands, to a certified debater bala.

To Jayrick, maano ka ya man? You have always been a puzzle for me, you know.Follow your heart. It will take you wherever you are meant to go.And I know, whatever your heart says is usually right. Just listen to it and make sure that it knows God.

I always this odd fascination about the three of these.

Si Jayrcik, si Kate and Rey. The three are always together in my mind If I think of one, I always think of the other. Pero, this time, wala na sila gawa ga imaw.

The three usually comes from the same direction. Daw isa lang bala ya source nila nga tatlo aw. Pero this time… I don’t know.

Guys, keep in touch ha.