Receiving a gift can be a very special and exciting experience. It can make you feel loved, appreciated, and recognized for who you are. It can also be a meaningful and memorable moment that you will remember for a long time. Depending on the gift itself and the person who gave it to you, receiving your first gift can also be an emotional experience and can make you feel grateful, happy, and overwhelmed in the best way. As a teacher myself, there's nothing more special than receiving the gift of gratitude from your students whom you poured your expertise into teaching.
It was a cold rainy day and the rain was falling gently from the sky. I was sitting by the desk doing the class syllabus while sipping on a cup of hot coffee when I heard a knock at the door. I got up to see who it was and found a bunch of students on the doorstep holding something like a brown box. These students are from my science and math classes and are from different sections. They handed it to me and brought it inside together with my students, excited to see what was inside.
"We want to make your birthday a special day teacher Sammy."
I couldn't contain my excitement and emotions. I almost cried receiving the mystery box. But I held it for a moment knowing that these students knew me as a firm teacher, showing no emotions in every class but optimism.
I carefully put down the box on my desk and opened it up to find letters inside it, different letters coming from every student in my classes. This is the most beautiful gesture I have ever received after 2 years of teaching at this school. I asked them what are these letters. They humbly answer that these are letters of gratitude. They don't know what to give on my birthday because they know I am not the kind of teacher who accepts fancy gifts like flowers, delicate accessories, or sweets. I was speechless and couldn't believe that I would receive something on my birthday. These children had given me such a thoughtful gift ever.
I jokingly said I was looking for some sweets. And they all blushed and were stunned knowing that something sweet would make my day complete. I said I was kidding. I looked and glanced a bit at every card or note to see who it was from and what was written there. Some letters are anonymously written and I was puzzled and wondered who could have sent me such compliments. Comments like I am the most modest teacher in school. There's even a comment from one letter stating "He would marry someone like me." How cute could that be, coming from those innocent faces and smiles? I decided to read some of the letters upfront of my students while still sipping, and enjoying my hot coffee. They all feel shy.
As I sat there and read letter by letter, I thought about how kind and generous these students are. It really desired me to think about how good God is in my life and how grateful I was to have Him and this job. I was filled with a warm feeling of love and appreciation, and I knew that these students who had sent me these letters were good children, who cared about me deeply.
I reread those letters every lonesome day after that, and every birthday I had. It always brought a smile to my face whenever I looked at them and think about my students. I may never have a hold of their life after they graduate, but the gesture of love and kindness was something that I would always treasure.
After a couple of years, my students graduated. On the day of their graduation, I left them a note intended for their batch. I realized that I have never given them a response to their letters years back. Now, it's time for me to do the favor so I gave them the life encouragement they needed to face a new chapter of their student life. I barely remember the exact words I wrote for them but looking at their life right now, reveals to me the reflection of my guidance to them.
As I am writing this story, I kept thinking about where did I leave those letters in school. Every year we will conduct a reshuffling and redesigning of our faculty's interior so I might have misplaced them somewhere else.
Nevertheless, I consider this one of the best gifts I have ever had in my life. It is a significant and unforgettable moment that gave a lasting impact on my life. For me, the best gift you can give to someone is the essence of being a grateful person.
Thank you for reading my entry for Creative Nonfiction in The Ink Well: Prompt #9.
Happily Yours,
Sammy.
