This day two years ago

 

*This day two years ago*

by Joyce.

On this day two years ago, our world turned upside down,

The day that had promised to add joy to our family,

Turned to be one 

none of us had fathomed.

There's an ache in our hearts

Each time we think of you

There's a void you have left

That can never be filled.

So many questions left unanswered

So many tears left un-shed

So many dreams left shattered

So many words left un-said.

Baby Alaina, know you were loved,

Eagerly awaited to be welcomed into the family

But Jesus wanted you to be an angel 

So you could your Mama  accompany.

Cifa, You are missed at every happy occasion

You are remembered by every one of us

I still can't understand WHY?? but whenever my faith begins to falter

I see glimpses of you in your little one.

Then, I am reminded of the good times we shared

I am grateful for the years  we had you

I am thankful for the blessing you were

Yes, I am thankful to God Almighty for the gift of you🙏

November Rain

Whenever we experience unseasonal weather, especially rain in November, like today, I am reminded of the famous 1992 song, November Rain, by Guns N' Roses.

We know that winter rain is common is many places, but not for us in the coastal areas.  Rather than being refreshing like summer rain or expected like the Monsoon, it's more of an inconvenience, of getting out our packed away umbrellas and rain gear.

Today I reflect on the lyrics of the song in this unpredictable weather. 

'Nothing lasts forever....hearts can change...no one can hold a candle in the cold November rain.....

Everyone needs some time alone.....Everybody needs somebody.....'

This three decade year old song lyrics still have the  ability to create mood as I sit watching my November rain.

BIRTHDAY 2021- Appeal to my students

My dear children,

It's that time of the year when I switch into my reflective mode.

I am forever grateful to God for this life and for calling me to become a Teacher. I am grateful to my parents and family who have been and are still my strength and support. I am also grateful to my colleagues, superiors and mentors. And last, but certainly not the least, I am grateful to  my students, past and present.

A huge part of my life has been devoted to teaching and when I reflect, which I've been doing more than usual, this year, I think fondly of those years and my students. 

Yes, you,  my 'children', you have been a big part of my life and still occupy a large part of my heart, somewhere between the left auricle and right ventricle. 

I would be grateful if you could  write a few words or an anecdote or anything that you remember about your time with me. 

Type in the comments below, with your name, and the year I taught you.

Yours forever,

Ms Joyce/ Teacher Joyce/ Joyce Ma'am.

P.S. Your comments are sent to me via email and then published. So, there maybe a delay. Be patient.

Living in the moment is perhaps the easiest and also the most difficult....

 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34.

Living in the moment is perhaps the easiest and also the most difficult....I had posted this a few years ago. Just this one line. Today, when I came across this, I realized the enormity of that one line.

I have been taking 'ONE DAY AT A TIME' just like the famous hymn, one of my favourites. Yes, to live in the moment is not as easy at it seems. Thoughts of what has been, what might have been and what will be are constantly lurking in the shadows of the mind, making an appearance and overpowering the NOW, more often than not. Regrets about the past and worry about the future don't allow us to fully experience the NOW. 

Living in the Present requires one's full attention. It means we focus on the task at hand and give it our best shot. It means we are fully present to the people around us too and interact with them with our whole beings without distractions. It means listening without interrupting. Most importantly it means being aware of God's presence and plan in everything and everyone. It means having faith that all things will work out for the best. It means being honest to ourselves. 

I believe if we take care of our present the future will take care of itself. And ever so often when we are faced with chaos it also means 'Letting Go and Letting GOD' take over.   

A word of Encouragement or an hour of Praise

 

Did you realize how, when presented with a white handkerchief with a minuscule black dot in a corner, almost all of us will notice only that dot and not the other clear white part of the kerchief. I guess it is human nature to look for mistakes, to look for excuses to criticize rather than opportunities to praise. We would rather put down than raise up.  

Sadly, most often than not we are our own worst critics. How soon we have forgotten how as toddlers we fell a thousand times but that never stopped us from getting up again to take those first steps. Our parents made such a big deal at our every milestone, encouraging our every word, every step, Thus it is human nature to encourage and somewhere along the way, we picked up the act of criticizing. 

I came across a really nice story whose author is unknown, reminding us how a few words of encouragement given at the right time can make a big difference to someone. I'm sure we all will learn our own lessons from it. Here it is, verbatim:

'Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man.

The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent.

Rossetti looked over them carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless but Rossetti was a kind man, he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent.

He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man. The man was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rossetti’s judgment.

The old man then apologized for taking up Rossetti’s time, but asked him to look at a few more drawings.

Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. “These,” he said, “oh, these are good.”

“This young student has a great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement. He has a great future.”

Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved.

“Who is this fine young artist?” he asked. “Your son?”

“No,” said the old man sadly.

“It is me – 40 years ago. These are my drawings – 40 years go. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up – too soon.”'

Let us all make a conscious decision today to encourage ourselves and one another and build each other up. 

“A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.”

 

We are making history, are we making it count?

When we ushered in 2020 little did we know that it would be the year that will be mentioned, researched and read about for years to come. It has reserved its place in history books, medical journals, economic and statistical annals of the future. 

It has altered the fabric of society while adjusting to a 'new normal'. Terminology like BC and AC --- Before Covid and After Covid, lockdown, quarantine, isolation, social-distancing, frontline warriors, work from home, online class and so many more - have found their way into our repertoire of words and have taken a whole new meaning. 'Be positive'  will never be used as a phrase of encouragement without it's obvious negative connotation. 

We are all living this part at present. We have no choice. The question is how are we living? Some are facing the situation head on. Some are struggling. Some are battling for life. Some have won the battle. Some have lost a loved one.  Some have lost jobs. Some have lost peace of mind.

Others have picked up a hobby like gardening, baking or music. A chosen few have picked up a cause. These have risen to the occasion. They have helped others in need. They have nursed the sick, fed the hungry, walked with the migrants and opened their hearts and homes to the forsaken. Hats off to them!

Internet consumption has increased.Dependency on a good WiFi connection has become crucial. Students have learned to study online and teachers have learned to teach online. Our homes have become our work places as well as our places of worship. We have learned how important our family is. We have learned that we need very little to survive and 'minimalism' that had become a fad over the last couple of years as a lifestyle choice, suddenly when thrust upon us made us realise there's nothing fancy about it, but rather, that's the way our grandparents lived. We have begun to value life, we realised that we are not in control. We have realised we need faith. We realised that this pandemic has been an equaliser, it does not discriminate. These are now people we know, not just a statistic. It scares, it hurts. 

So, what will happen now? Will we remain the same? Are we focussing just on building up our immunity or are we growing stronger in faith? Will we cherish our freedom or misuse our rights? Have we learned to treasure our relationships? Have we been grateful for the abundance we have? Have we made an effort to brighten someone's day? Have we tried to lighten someone's burden? Are we appreciative of our family, friends and work? Do we give thanks to God for our food, clothing and shelter? Can we go back to the way we were? 

The answer to these questions and many more like these will set us on a quest to become better versions of ourselves, the one's we were meant by God to be. I am striving towards it every moment. I know I am making history. I want to make it count.  Do you?

Teachers' Day 2020

For a teacher, Teachers' Day holds a very special place in his/her heart. It's the day they are pampered, showered with praises, flowers, handmade cards and they get to let down their hair!

My favourite part is the fact that I have the rarest of rare occasions of sitting in the audience having nothing to do but to thoroughly enjoy the programme - one that I did not have to train anyone for.

As I sit among the other teachers, my colleagues - my friends, all decked up in our finest of finest, I feel a wave of emotions sweep over me. I'm thoroughly happy, almost ecstatic, I'm choked with emotions at the thoughtful messages, I'm amused at how hard the PTA and School Council are trying, in vain, to maintain discipline, I'm feeling 'on top of the world' almost like a celebrity as I hear my name being called among cheers from the crowd.

Above all this and beneath all this I feel a deep sense of gratitude - gratitude to God for calling me to this vocation - gratitude to these youngsters who have literally grown up with my own children and have become my own now.

I also feel humbled at the thought that I am given this honour when I still have a long way to go to become the Teacher I was meant to be.

At the end of the day, beaming with joy,  I would return home loaded with flowers, cards and a gift from the Management, giving thanks to God for making me a Teacher. I would then check and reply to messages from my past students and reminisce and be grateful even more.

Well, this has been how I spent this day for the past few decades. Never did I ever dream of what happened this year - 2020 - the year that will be marked in History for time immemorial. 

Well, knowing my students, who are unstoppable Boscoites - who move ahead no matter what - I knew there would be a programme. I was right! The kids did put up a programme and how! It was all online....planned and executed by the School and Class council. During this pandemic, they planned, coordinated, allotted tasks, chalked out a programme, divided the work, shot song videos, dance videos, message videos, made cards. It felt like watching a show on Netflix!

I was awestruck! I was filled with pride at what our kids can do on their own. I was pleasantly surprised at some of their hidden talents too. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and it made me forget where I was - in front of my PC screen. When it was time for me to express my Thanks, I choked because I wanted to see my students, my children. I wanted to see their beaming faces looking up at me mentioning their performance. I wanted to touch their heads blessing them as I moved back to my seat after my Vote of Thanks. I wanted to be present among them. However as I continued with my thanks I suddenly realised that although we were not physically in one Hall, we were actually connected in spirit....the love and respect between a teacher and her student broke all barriers and instead of brooding on what has been or might have been I was back again in front of my students, imagining their cheers and smiles....I was in the here and now....feeling happy, proud, grateful and humbled. That had not changed.

 I switched off the PC and checked and replied to the hundreds of messages expressing their love and respect towards me. That had not changed.

I am a TEACHER and as long as I have my students I will be a TEACHER and I will enjoy TEACHERS' Day....each one being more memorable than the previous.....Thank you my dearest students....Thank you for making TEACHERS' DAY 2020  the most memorable one till now....

......until 2021!