之 乎 者 也 (1)

子曰:
知之为知之
不知为不知
是知也

罗大佑:
http://www.stsky.com/play/6029.htm

Graduation 2007

It was a great day for my students who were graduating. Most of them were jubilant, some nervous, and some relieved. They looked splendid in their dark grey graduation gowns with a bold cardinal red strip running down the front. They were shaking hands and chatting politely, and they looked so mature and professional. I could still remember their innocent teenager look three years ago when they first came in. My goodness, how did they mature and change so much in the last few weeks that I did not see them?

It was also a great day for me to witness their graduation. If they were plantlets when they first came in, they are now fully grown plants flourishing in full bloom. Looking at them, one wonders what had gone into their lifes in the last three years to make these transformations possible. Educators might liken themselves to the sunlight, water, air or soil that nourish these plantlets to their full potential. But, I dare not lay claim to such noble contributions. At least, not individually. I like to think it is the collective effort of both teachers and students teaching and learning from each other, and the environment and society at large that provides the support and results in these transformations.

Even as the names of the students who were graduating were read aloud with measured care, and the students walked forward with enthusiasm to collect their diplomas accompanied by applause from parents and peers, I was painfully aware of those students who could be among these graduands but were not. And, I would never ever be able to see them graduate as they have left us for another world, never coming back. And I wondered how their parents must be feeling ... and, the meaning of life ...