Ah, September, the harbinger of the festive “-ber months” in my home country, the Philippines! As the last quarter of the year dawns, the spirit of Christmas begins to permeate the air, heralding a beloved time for family, feasting, and celebration. Christmas holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos, serving as a sacred holiday that brings loved ones together. While the adults delight in planning lavish spreads and sharing stories of Christmases past, children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, filled with anticipation for presents and treats.
The picture of last year’s Christmas is still vivid in my mind. The children’s elated chatter filled the air, “Santa is here, Santa is here!” Excitement bubbled as their eager little heads popped out of the classroom door frames, peeking for a glimpse of the jolly figure in his bright red coat and flowing silver beard. The sounds of “Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas!” echoed through the corridors, signaling that Santa Claus had indeed arrived, bringing with him the spirit of holiday cheer and anticipation. The children scurried back to their seats, giddy with excitement, ready to share in the magic of this festive season.
The essence of Santa Claus, like a magical recipe, consists of several ingredients. A red coat suit, a bushy silver beard, and a welcoming smile are staple features of the holiday icon. Yet, amongst the myriad of Santas scattered across the globe, there was something that made Terry stand out from the rest. While all Santa Clauses sported the same trademark attire, Terry’s charisma was unique.
The pandemic had stirred a storm in the teaching world, leaving an erratic trail of arrivals and departures. The emotional repercussions of these tumultuous changes were as unpredictable as the pandemic itself. The number of educators, like the rest of society, felt the lingering effects of the global health crisis. In this climate, a new teacher stepped into the first-grade faculty, an unfamiliar face amongst the children and staff. My first impression was that he was a tall, well-built gentleman with a kind smile.
My initial assessment of Terry was hasty, perhaps. The age gap seemed to create an insurmountable divide between us, convincing me that we could only coexist as colleagues and never friends. However, Terry’s unique qualities soon began to contradict my initial assumptions. One of our mutual friends captured Terry’s essence perfectly: “It’s always been such a joy working with Terry, and I’m incredibly grateful for his kindness and loyalty, especially during those times I needed it most. I truly feel blessed to have him as a friend. He is one of the few people I know with a genuine heart who always had my back, no doubt. He’s not just a friend; he’s a true ally and confidant.”
With the passing of another year and the dawning of a new era in Terry’s life, I was curious to know his ruminations on achieving another year of life. Sitting down with him on the day we celebrated his special day, I ventured to ask about his birthday musings. Here’s what he shared:
Leaving the United States, I was a very bitter person. Hurt from my marriage and in a job I hated. I flew over to Thailand for a vacation, and it changed my world. Using up all my vacations, I was supposed to stay for 3 weeks. Instead, I stayed for 3 months. The union was calling me, telling me I needed to get back to work, I told them I’m not coming back. While there, I also visited Vietnam and Laos. I totally fell in love with the place. I was intrigued that they’re were westerners living there. I asked questions. I wanted to know how they did it. That’s when I discovered ESL teaching. So, at the end of my trip, I was determined to come back and make it a go.
I went home for about 3 weeks buttoned everything up and away I went. I found a TEFL school in Koh Kong Cambodia. A country I completely skipped over. It wasn’t easy at first. But while in KK, I met the love of my life, and from that moment on, my life had been forever changed. I was no longer that bitter man I once was. I felt free, and I felt in love. Not just in love with Khem, but once again in love with life. Meeting Khem forced me to leave my comfort zone of KK and head to the big city of PP. This, too, would forever change my life. This is where I would hone my craft and learn what it means to be a real teacher. Once again, it wasn’t easy. But it was well worth it.
As the best version of myself, I will need to have made some changes. I have been working on this (myself) since leaving the States. I’m trying to be more professional. In the U.S. I was a professional truck driver. That is not the same as being a professional educator. So, over the past 5+ years, I’ve been working on my professionalism. I am hoping this will open up avenues to help me become better at my craft, move up into curriculum (big goal) and maybe one day open my school. Maybe a small school specializing in early years, or a language center. I hope to be able to help thousand of kids learn English, and to one day have a stream of revenue that is not predicated on me working 40-50 + hours a week.
As Terry’s story unfolded, I am inspired with his resilience and I empathize with him. I silently offered a prayer, a wish for this newfound friend, that he would be blessed with success in all his endeavors and find healing for the wounds of his past. His vision of investing in the education of young children was noble and inspiring, and I hoped with all my heart that his aspirations would come to fruition, leaving an indelible mark on the community.
With the advent of winter, the magic of Christmas would once again descend upon the world, wrapping it in a blanket of joy and wonder. And, amid the flurry of anticipation, Terry would undoubtedly find himself in the thick of the excitement, donning the signature red coat and silver beard, ready to spread cheer to the little ones. With his lovely smile and a twinkle in his eye, I’m sure he would be the very figure of a “Happy Christmas” especially for the first graders- embodying the spirit of the season and bringing happiness to all those he will encounter. ♥
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Psalm 34:18
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