My favorite teacher

I had many favorite teachers in my life. I think I always liked school. In elementary school, I liked Mr. K., he was still a bachelor and he used to play with us at recess. He would throw the red, rubber ball really high into the air and one of us would catch it. I ran into him the other day and I couldn't believe how old he looked. In a way though, he still reminded me of his younger self, especially when he smiled. I was too embarrassed, so I didn't say "Hi." Probably when I have a chance to run into him again, I will summon the courage to say "hi" and hope that he remembers me. I was the one that corrected him in spelling "embarrassed."

I had really good teachers in high school too. One that really stood out for me was another Mr. K. He was my business teacher and he asked me to be his TA in my senior year. I was flattered and willingly obliged. He always looked so professional. He wore a well-starched aloha shirt with the collars that stood up neatly and he wore brylcreem in his hair. He was in his 50's, but he seemed so young at heart. He believed in all of us. He ran our classroom like a well-oiled machinery. He made funny jokes which were sort of dry in humor but still quite entertaining.

I miss him. He and I exchanged Christmas cards every year after I graduated from high school. One Christmas he didn't send me a card. About a year and 4 months later, his wife sent me a card telling me that he passed away. I was so shocked and so sad. I always told myself that I would go back to visit him when I became something. I guess I shouldn't have waited so long. I miss him so much. :(

I hope that he is watching me now from heaven and is proud of me because I chose to follow in his footsteps. Maybe one day, my class will run like a well-oiled machine too.

The picture above isn't his picture. It's just an image that I found to represent Mr. K. because he was always young at heart. I like how the young man in the picture looks wistful and is looking out toward the open water...