This piece
is dedicated to the following:
Cyril, who
made time earlier this week for some good old catch up, and is about to leave
again for New York City.
Gem, a
friend I made during junior prom, who invited me to a seminar yesterday.
My longtime
friends Ton and Kookles, who never fail to make time for food, drinks, and
comic relief.
And to the
rest who became a part of that period in my life.
During my high school graduation many moons ago, one of the
speakers asked us to take a good look at every student graduating that night. After
a brief pause, it continued with the statement, “Savor and cherish this moment
because there is a good chance that this is the last time you will be seeing
these faces for a long time.” These words came true.
But what was it like during my time as a high school student? Back
then, calling your friends through telephones to chat or ask about home works
was a usual practice; internet connection was still in its dial up phase; the
sago-filled shakes fad was about to start its demise while coffee shops were
picking up the pace; there was much goofing around at the auditorium backstage;
we snuck in empty classrooms to catch our siesta; quizzes, projects, home works
were really the bulk of our worries. It was a much simpler world to live in
compared to today.
Fast forward to the present. By this time, we have made a whole
lot of decisions that further defined who we are and who we will still become. Along
with these decisions came triumphs, progress, failures, and sacrifices. We have
to live and adapt to the ever changing world in hopes of creating better lives
for ourselves. Facing the future also presents the caveat of uncertainty. We
might not always have our family, friends, and teachers for as long as we would
want them to be around.
My true inspiration for this piece is appreciating the legacy we
can impart to people who have crossed our lives. Consciously or unconsciously,
our worthwhile interactions with these people will last a lifetime. And who
knows, maybe one or two or three of those interactions became defining moments
in your life. Nevermind going away for a while, nevermind living careers
different from each other, nevermind growing old. At this point, I just want to
sincerely thank these people for being part of my life. I urge you to do so
too.
“If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be travelin' on now
There's too many places I got to see”
- Taken from Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Would you still remember me?
For I must be travelin' on now
There's too many places I got to see”
- Taken from Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
