The weekend of youth

This was the weekend for the youth of the world at ISKL and in our apartment. The stars converged to bring the young to the forefront. First there was graduation of the Class of 2008. In among the speeches and the awards and the accolades, and just after the tossing of the hats in unison, I found myself in a familiar place... realizing that my job is done and this celebration belongs to those students whose stories are just beginning in so many ways. Their exhuberance, their tears, their last few moments with friends and, in some cases, family. It was their night, and I just allowed myself to dissolve into the doorway and move on out of their lives. I can only wish them well. My job is done.

Today was a day for youth as well - youth of the baby kind - as we moseyed on to breakfast with Nancy, Pedro and Jamie. Along the way Irini and Jamie shared some friendly moments on the sofa where their infant manners were as lovely as ever. They started with simple sitting next to each other, and slowly they lost their balance, reached for each others arm, head, face, you name it. By the end of the photo opportunity (as it turned out) they were a ball of arms and legs on a sofa. Absolutely cute!

The day continued, however. Only this time it was Irini's opportunity to hang out with the teenagers. I joked about having Irini doing wonders for the social life, and they all laughed, but in some ways it was very true. Here were three graduates (from last year) asking to have lunch with us (and Scott and Rebecca too) only to meet Irini. Ahhs and ohhs were the norm, and Irini proved that she can hang with the best of them. Instant success.

So, as graduates return for a visit in KL, and as students become alumni and move on, and as Irini grows by the day, it is apparent that the youth of the world is slowly becoming part of our fabric of society and lifestyle. We are, after all, teachers for that very reason. We love it!