My first grade class (home room) teacher!!!
“Thank you for coming all the way from Kolkata to Ernakulam to see me. I feel very special today. Nobody has done that before”.
“No, no, no, that is not how it works”, I quickly responded. “I am the one who is here to say thanks for every way you influenced me when I was barely a few years old. In many ways I am today who I am due some of those early influences”.
“Plus”, I admitted, “You had asked me to come and meet you”.
“I did?”, she asked somewhat confused.
“Ah! You do not remember, do you? I will tell you that story”
That is how the conversation began the moment Mrs. George opened the door. She was my class teacher in first grade. Last time I had talked to her face to face was in 1973. This year, I had tracked her down to a place about 1500 miles away from where we used to be and had promised her that I would come and see her. Especially given the great difficulty she has in moving around (both her knees are shot) and the fact that she is valiantly fighting Parkinson’s, I was determined to make that meeting as quickly as I could.
After she slowly walked to her chair with the help of her cane and I settled next to her, I continued-
“You lived in Aurobindo Avenue. 5th street, right?
“Indeed”
“Back in the mid eighties, there was a girl on 8th street on your road that I used to be romantically linked with. One day, I was coming back from her house, and I ran into another old schoolmate of mine – Soumitro was his name. He lived on your street. He had mentioned that a year or so back, you had realized that he and I had become classmates after leaving your school. And you had asked him to ask me to come and see you if he met me again”.
“Not sure why – I believe I had gone back to my college a few days after that or I was feeling too awkward (and I was plenty awkward those days), I never came and saw you”.
After pausing for a moment, watching her take in the whole story, I finished up:
“Mrs. George”.
“Yes?”
“I know I took too much time. But I have come today and I have kept your request”.
“Thank you!”, she smiled.
“And I brought something for you”
“What?”
That is when I fished out a printout of a photograph I was carrying for her in my backpack.
“Do you remember this?”
“Looks like a class picture during Christmas party”.
“Indeed. Mrs. George! December, 1973!! I want you to keep this picture”.
As you see from the photo below, I spent quite some time naming the students and giving her an update on where they are and what they are doing. Much to my surprise, there were a few names she recognized instantly!!
The rest of the afternoon went remembering so many of our old teachers and me learning about her early childhood days in the rubber plantations near Kottayam district and her days after she left our school.
I got introduced to Mr. George. Mrs. George showed me pictures of her daughters and grandkids. I even got to see a picture of her from her wedding day!!!
If there was one meeting I never wanted to end, it had to be that one. First grade! First class-teacher!! There are still many more memories we did not get a chance to share! But I had two flights to catch before I could get back to my place (there were no direct flights for me). Reluctantly, I took leave.
“Rajib?”
“Yes?”, I looked back at the door where she was standing to say Bye to me.
“What happened to that girl from our road?”. I think she was trying to tease me.
“Oh! I married her!!”.
Going by the big laughter she gave, I did not think she was expecting that answer!
As the Uber guy started our one hour drive back to the airport, I felt a surge of emotional high for being able to see Mrs. George after 44 years to say Thank you. As well as the simultaneous pangs of the inevitable question – Will I be lucky enough to get another chance to finish off a few more stories?
Great story as always. Ernakulam is my birthplace and I have yet to visit and see it. This post brings me a sense of urgency to make it happen.
Ernakulam is your birthplace??? I did not know that. Btw, I found Cochin to be very clean…
Yes. Dad used to be with the Indian Navy. We left when I was around 2 years old and never went back.
Rajib…..you have a real great writer in you. The way you narrate the tales , they are simply mesmerising…I missed the story you told about me after we met because suddenly everything went blank saying that my period is over n I should create a new account. I am sure it must have been another sweet story ….Thank you Rajib.
You can read it here on my blog – http://www.rajibroy.com/?p=14162
Rajib this is an amazing story!! I love the fact you are able to visit with so many people of your past and share the memories. I’m sure she will never forget you spending time with her. After all, as we get older, Time is all we have.
Your a man with a BIG heart. Never lose that my friend!!!
Oh, and that little girl you married, she is a lucky lady!!
Rajib Roy what a story. I tracked down our class teacher in a small hamlet near Tuticorin. Went and met him. My classmates were thrilled I did. One of them came down from USA and I went again. He had lost his vision and was feeling bad that he could see photos very feebly. He also recalled all the names. I did take a video and posted on YouTube for my classmates. He passed away a few years ago. Story to discuss in person in detail.
What a wonderful thing to do – many of us remember our educators and their influence on us during our formative years but it takes a lot of humility and gratitude to actually make the effort to say thank you!Kudos to you for doing that!
Beautiful story!
Rajib you are great
Although I haven’t met you, I have known you for years cos my mom always talked about you and showed us your excellent work which was amazing for a 7 year old kid. Thank you so much for visiting your old teacher and reliving the past for a little while and entertaining them. You are indeed a great guy!
Anu, funny story – she told me about the times when apparently you and your sister used to root for me when she used to correct test papers!!! I hope to meet both of you some day!!!
Oh yes! Its true. We must definitely meet.
Christmas time, this year?
So amazing Rajib!!!
I appreciate the great human qualities in you.
A great and priceless effort taken dear Rajib. God bless you. Your desire and thirst to love, remember, respect, honour and meet your parents, elders, teachers, friends etc is defenitely a commendable one, which also is an amazing example to follow. I consider myself fortunate to have a friend and classmate in you. My love and prayers are with you.
Very touching description. Thanks Rajib.
Incredible story Rajib!
Outstanding!
Great to read. Did you go to Kottayam? My friend Ittoop’s family is from there. I visited the place for the first time last September. It is a beautiful place. Tagging Ittoop
No, Raghu. It was a straight car drive from airport to her house and back. I flew in and out in a matter of a few hours…
Rajib,I am totally captured by your efforts to reach out to your teachers.Your memory, sentiments and modesty are amazing.Lilly is going to treasure these moments.BTW thank you for the pictures.We have had a long association from BJS to SXS to Mahila Samiti.Am in touch with her.
Does Sharmila know my daughter Vrinda,Mandira Gupta’s classmate at Carmel?
Rajib, You are a special creature whom God has sent in this wonderful world and there will no one ever in this millenium. I salute you.
Thank you for visiting my mum and making her day. You have a big heart!
She was George Auntie for us. Weused to live on 5th streetaurobindo Avenue. Us at 5/3 they at 5/9