Saturday, April 3, 2010

My “anaks”…

Originally written on Wednesday, February 28th, 2007



I was a teacher for eight long years. I am thankful that I was given the chance to be one, especially since teaching was not really in my secret list of dream jobs.


For the past eight years, I have been fortunate enough to meet and interact with extremely talented and intelligent people. I mingled with simple people who had extraordinary personalities. I learned a lot from them, and I became the person that I am today because of them.

In a world that’s concerned more with politics, money-making schemes and gossip, it is difficult to look for people who are genuinely appreciative of what and who you are. Oftentimes, people simply look at you from head to toe, and then dismiss you as an ordinary Joe or Jane. But the people that surrounded me in my eight years of stay as a teacher are different. They made me feel special and appreciated. Especially my "anaks" (children).

These people have become my second family. I call them my "anaks" because that’s how I treat them; that’s how I see them, and that’s how I feel about them. Everyday, when I arrived in school, I looked forward to spending time with them - we normally spent time after class or during club meetings. We swapped stories, dreamt of incredibly magical futures, exchanged ideas and simply had fun together. Whatever we did, we enjoyed. Wherever we went, we had fun.

These people, my "anaks", accept me for what I am - all my pluses and minuses. When I get mad or feel bad about them, they don’t turn their backs on me; they don’t leave me - they stick with me and try to understand. When they know that I want something for them, like a good grade or an excellent performance in a play, they don’t complain. They understand why. When I make mistakes, they don’t laugh at me or complain - they help me correct these. When I am happy, they are happy. When I am sad and hurt, they empathize with me.

They know me inside out. They feel me. They love me despite my imperfections.  And knowing this overwhelms me. I know I am lucky. I am blessed. And everyday, I never miss the chance to thank the Almighty for giving my "anaks" to me. Maybe He doesn’t want to give me a child of my own so that I can continue to look after my many "anaks". And who am I to complain? But then, why will I complain? These are the people who accept me for who I am; who appreciate all that I am and all that I do. These are the people who complete me.

I don’t have to point out who my "anaks" are. They know who they are. I’m praying that each one of them will read this, so they will all know just how special they are to me.

In reality, my eight years as a teacher gave me more than the financial blessings I received. Being a teacher introduced me to my second family - the extensions of my life. I can never be and I will never be without them.

My "anaks"...

…they’re all special…beautiful…intelligent…talented…

…and I love all of them…

…unconditionally.

My "anaks"…

…They complete me.


Saturday, April 3, 2010

My “anaks”…

Originally written on Wednesday, February 28th, 2007



I was a teacher for eight long years. I am thankful that I was given the chance to be one, especially since teaching was not really in my secret list of dream jobs.


For the past eight years, I have been fortunate enough to meet and interact with extremely talented and intelligent people. I mingled with simple people who had extraordinary personalities. I learned a lot from them, and I became the person that I am today because of them.

In a world that’s concerned more with politics, money-making schemes and gossip, it is difficult to look for people who are genuinely appreciative of what and who you are. Oftentimes, people simply look at you from head to toe, and then dismiss you as an ordinary Joe or Jane. But the people that surrounded me in my eight years of stay as a teacher are different. They made me feel special and appreciated. Especially my "anaks" (children).

These people have become my second family. I call them my "anaks" because that’s how I treat them; that’s how I see them, and that’s how I feel about them. Everyday, when I arrived in school, I looked forward to spending time with them - we normally spent time after class or during club meetings. We swapped stories, dreamt of incredibly magical futures, exchanged ideas and simply had fun together. Whatever we did, we enjoyed. Wherever we went, we had fun.

These people, my "anaks", accept me for what I am - all my pluses and minuses. When I get mad or feel bad about them, they don’t turn their backs on me; they don’t leave me - they stick with me and try to understand. When they know that I want something for them, like a good grade or an excellent performance in a play, they don’t complain. They understand why. When I make mistakes, they don’t laugh at me or complain - they help me correct these. When I am happy, they are happy. When I am sad and hurt, they empathize with me.

They know me inside out. They feel me. They love me despite my imperfections.  And knowing this overwhelms me. I know I am lucky. I am blessed. And everyday, I never miss the chance to thank the Almighty for giving my "anaks" to me. Maybe He doesn’t want to give me a child of my own so that I can continue to look after my many "anaks". And who am I to complain? But then, why will I complain? These are the people who accept me for who I am; who appreciate all that I am and all that I do. These are the people who complete me.

I don’t have to point out who my "anaks" are. They know who they are. I’m praying that each one of them will read this, so they will all know just how special they are to me.

In reality, my eight years as a teacher gave me more than the financial blessings I received. Being a teacher introduced me to my second family - the extensions of my life. I can never be and I will never be without them.

My "anaks"...

…they’re all special…beautiful…intelligent…talented…

…and I love all of them…

…unconditionally.

My "anaks"…

…They complete me.