Background:
The Social Activity Week is a week held by AFS in some countries (usually 1st world countries) wherein the students get permission to not go to school and, instead, work in the neighbourhood voluntarily. (i.e. without pay)
Today was the last day of my so-called "work" with the nearby children's school. I worked with the 3rd grade (8-9 yrs. old) and with the SFO (I don't really know what it means but it's where the children stay and just play while waiting for their parents to come and pick them up.) It was fun while it lasted. I get to see how the norwegian educational system functions and at the same time, I got to be with children. (I guess it's safe to say that I became a child again.) I drew a lot of things, mostly dragons because of special requests. I went skating with them (where they taught me things), and, all in all, had a good time with them. Sure, it's a lil' bit tiring, with all the screaming, running, crying, asking, talking, etc., that they do but, nonetheless, it was fun.
I guess I love kids. (Not that I would love to have one though.) It kept me wondering, how do they think at their age? I could not remember how I thought when I was small. It was a bit odd because, now that I think about it, I had almost the same line of thought since I was grade 5 but beyond that, I could not remember anymore. I hope that when these kids grow up, they would come to remember me and the one week that I spent with them. If they don't, at least, I know that I would come to remember it all. I guess children are as complicated as adults and, in fact, more dangerous. I feared for the entire week that anything that I might have influenced them would, in a way, affect their entire selves until they grow up and the thought is really sinister. I mean, I never knew how I grew up this way. It could've been my own circle of thoughts or it could have been an outside influence, I don't know. And as I looked among these children, there are a lot of them where I can see myself in and I wonder who they would become as a 17 year old teenager. Would they follow their own nature? or would they go with the flow? Who knows.
But, nonetheless, I would say that they have touched me. And I would hope that I touched them.
I guess it's my thing where I make all simple things complex. It's just me.
Final Farewell
Mayauru the fairy lost her memory and lived alone in the forest. One day a girl happened to come by and they became friends. The girl called lots of friends and they all played happily but Mayauru wasn't human and aged slowly. The children grew up and eventually forgot about Mayauru. And then, the girl that she first met... was the only one left. But that girl grew up and wouldn't play with her anymore. Even so, the grown-up girl couldn't forget Mayauru and came back. Finally, Mayauru gave the lonely-looking girl a present. Words of farewell. Until then, people didn't know of the words of farewell. Mayauru was a farewell fairy. She'd forgotten that because it's painful to have nothing but farewells. The grown-up girl learned the words from Mayauru. And that girl who knew the words of farewell...? She became the world's kindest person. Shouldn't we just part with a smile? Sayounara.The time for farewells is finally upon me and I would bear it as happily as I could. Besides from the fact that it is inevitable, everyone knew right from the start that I am just a fleeting shadow -- just passing by;but nonetheless, they befriended me. Just like Mayauru, being an exchange student is like being a farewell fairy. First I said goodbye to my family, to my friends, to my life and went off to a land unknown. I've found myself a new family and met a lot of friends to play with, momentarily forgetting that I am a farewell fairy and that before I know it, I would be saying farewells all over again. This time, a farewell that just doesn't say "I'll see you later" but, mixed with the fear of the reality that can happen, "We'll never see each other again".Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien
Last Episode
Farewells should not be "I'll never see you again" but rather "I had fun being with you" because if the words "I'll never see you again" wouldn't do anything to change your fate, it is just folly to do it.
This is my gift to you: my words of farewell.
Farewell that says "I had fun being with you"
Farewell that says "I am a better person after I met you"
Farewell that says "I will never forget you"
Farewell that says "You are always in my heart"
Farewell that says "Thank you for everything"
Farewell that says "I love you"
I am, but a fairy of farewells.
Shall we part then with a smile?
Good bye.
Paalam.
Ha det.
Sayounara.
Arrivederci.
Au revoir.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Adeus.
Adiós.
再见.
PS: for wrong translations, just send me a message.
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1 comment:
They've... Touched you?
Dude. Get help.
Nah, in all seriosity, good for you.
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