Graduation rice cakes

Today's graduation ceremony at junior high school was especially moving. I'd taught these students since they were in fifth grade elementary. What's more, since I will be leaving come next July, it felt a little like my own graduation. Memories arose not only of students but also of everybody in the town that I will have to say goodbye to. I was more tear-eyed than usual. Meanwhile, the students were bawling.

I never felt much for graduation ceremonies before Japan. I hated my hometown school and felt no connection to anybody but my small circle of outcast friends. And my university was so gigantic and anonymous that a graduation ceremony felt thoroughly, thoroughly meaningless. When I look back at my whole school career, it's amazing that I can only think of teachers who were jaded, insensitive, neglectful, or mean. Most people I know have at least a few memories of teachers who touched them. Somehow I just don't.

But here in Japan I feel different. Working as a teacher, I have much more emotional investment. I love my students, even when they are naughty or unresponsive. So graduation ceremonies are meaningful for me now. I can't remember one where I didn't tear up at least a little.

I hope my students will remember me better than I remember my teachers.

In any case, everyone got to take home some mochi (rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste). Back at the office, I took them out and was about to bite into them when I had a better idea.

ONE GOOD DEED: Give away my graduation rice cakes to a coworker.