thinking back in time. It was my last week of high school. I was sitting in my English classroom awaiting for my turn to go up to the front of the classroom to do my final presentation. The question the teacher assigned to us to answer was "Do you believe that everything happens for a reason. Why or Why Not?" This English teacher in particular seemed to be very fond of Shakespeare's writings. So It was understandable why he assigned such a question none of us students seemed to care about its significance. But now, I sense why he assigned such a question. I see the significance of it now. It was assigned for us to answer, as a way to ready for our lives once we step into the real world. It was to get us to thinking that some day we'll understand how the world works. He truly is a caring and amazing teacher now that I think about it. before that, everyone just knew him as the cool english teacher who often had his shades on inside the classroom and loves to joke around and pick on his students.
Anyway, one by one, we went up. Everyone, thus far, have said they do beleive that everything happens for a reason. When a girl I knew since elementary school went up, she however, had a different perspective. "no, I do not believe that everything happens for a reason, for example, for those of you who knows my brother, he was born with a handicapp. He has down syndrome and he never experience what standing on his two own feet and walking is like." She started to shed some tears, occasionally pausing as she choked back tears. One of her friends walked up and gave her a hug. At the same time, some students, girls, of course were fighting back their own tears. Maybe a few guys too. LOL
Anyway, when she was done. Everyone clapped and the teacher look straight at me. Zong, you want to go up next he said. I kind of smile, and he smirked back. I knew then he's picking on me once again. I reluctantly went up to the front of the room. Being situated in a uncomfortable position due to the fact that I will be presenting my answer opposing to the girl before me. LOL I thought, and though for a second. I did something that just happened to come my mind. Before I began, I told the whole class since when I knew the girl before me. I praised her for her love for her brother. I said that growing up, walking to school, I would see her sometimes wheeling her brother to school. I told the class how admired I am of her. Again, some students cried. LOL
I then read my answer aloud somewhat nervously. When I was done, I can hear a few giggles, a few chuckles. And the teacher had this evil looking grin on his face like he really enjoyed giving me a hard time and possibly his last time doing it. LOL They all knew I was put in a uncomfortable position but I went along with it. The teacher praised me privately the next day when I went to find out my grade for my final project. A+, yes. I felt smart since I've been getting C's and D's mostly. haha
Today while picking up some groceries for my mother at the supermarket. I ran into that teacher. He looked at me as if he kind of knows me,but not too sure. He kindly asked if I graduated from XOXOX High. I smiled and said, Mr. Cohen, how are ya? We both chuckled softly and all he could said was How big I got. LOL You use to be so puny man, LOOK at you you're solid as a rock! hahaha I'm actually 20-30 lbs overweigh last I check I joke in return..lol Anyway, he still teaches there at the same high school and he plans to retire in a few years. He asked a lot of questions. LOL when it came to asking me what I'm doing now. Not wanting to disappoint him nor lied to him, I said I went to college for a bit but dropped out due to financial hardships I ended up working eversince. I been having a lot of twists and turns in life, that I'm just starting to get back into school. He gave me a pat on the back and said it's never too late. I was comfortable telling him this, remembering how he use to always told his students how he use to be this bad boy. And how he didn't start changing his life around until he was close to 40! And sure enough, he started to tell me his past life all over again. LOL And I'm thinking oh yeah, you told that story once, how you and your friends almost plunge into the ocean while driving drunk on whatever that bridge is called in new york..Oh yeah, you told me that too, you hated the army life so bad that you smoked pot in front of your boss and so they kicked you out.....LOL
In that instance, I felt this incredibly wierd feeling. So that's why he liked to picked on me so much in high school. I must have reminded him so much of himself as a youngster. The kid who wasn't always bad, always wasn't so good. but when he did something stupid, it was REALLY STUPID...LOL it was almost as if he knew I was going to screw up life first before I make something out of it. Maybe he's just really good at reading people. Or even foretelling people's future???
We both left, and he invited me to visit him sometimes. I'll visit him before he retires. I hope he lives to see the day that I have turn my life around. LOL He is probably close to 70 now and honestly has doesn't look too healthy when i saw him today.
. He's like a big brother to me. A teacher, and a life long friend for sure now.
Thanks Mr. Cohen. You are the best!
