My Christmas Present

My dear students,

When I first met you, I didn’t know where all this would take us. In some cases we had only seen each other in the distance. In some other cases, we had shared a conversation, even if it wasn’t in depth. The rest of us had shared space and time for a whole year. Never could I have guessed that we were about to share more things in the months to come. Not only space and time. And that… that’s what makes it different this time.

At the beginning I had mixed feelings about all this. It’s not that I was frightened, but expectant. Not optimistic, but ready to see all the good things in you. Those things which will link myself to you in a very personal, intimate, different way. Those things that could make us fragile and strong at the same time, because I could see through you the same way you could see through me. I’m not sure I like it, I’m not sure I’ll ever like to be seen through.

Weeks and months passed by and I tried really hard to know you inside out. I’m not sure I’m the right person you would choose to open up to, but here I am. I still see all the brightness in you, even though you don’t seem to realize you have it. Maybe you forgot how much you can shine. Maybe being under pressure is making you reconsider how good you are.

Today I want to tell you that you are my Christmas present. Each and every one of you. If you knew what I see in you, you wouldn’t doubt your potential again. On the contrary, you would try to show all that’s worth in you, your best version. You would say goodbye to all your doubts and fears and your drive and confidence would fly back to you. I wish you could do that. Just think about who you are. I mean, not who you are because of tiredness, stress and fear. Who you REALLY are. It’s still there, your old self. It brought you here, and it has made you capable of great things so far. Perhaps you don’t remember, but you were the fastest spermatozoid, the only one which never lost its way. You were really bright once, the number one, a killer. You still are. And on top of that, a miracle took place and they gave it your name. Your parents may know a couple of things about that...

What I’d really like you to know is that I still see the brightness in you. Can’t you feel it? Just in case you lose perspective, just in case you stop believing in yourself, I’ll lend you some of the brightness I see when I look at you. The problem is you can’t store that brightness in your hands, so I managed to turn it into something you can touch. Stars.

Yes, stars. I took some of that brightness myself. I offer it to you in case you forgot who you are, as those stars belong to you. We are all fragile, just like those fake stars. Small, fragile, but bright. They are talking stars, because they remind you that you need to do your best and that everything you need to accomplish that lies within you. Besides, they are friendly stars, because they will keep you company when your fears and doubts show up again.

Just try and grasp all the brightness in yourself, and make the best of it. You can do something good, something great, or real miracles. You just need to want to do it. I’ll be watching. I’ll be near you, trusting you. Your achievements will be my happiness. Your losses, an opportunity to try harder.

You’re not alone in this. I’ll be watching. Do you know why? Because it finally happened: you have grown on me, and I can’t stop it. I don’t want to.

Because now it’s not me, it’s not you. Now, it’s us.

Merry Christmas to you all. Live. Be happy.

And come back safe, please.

Love,

Your teacher.