Sunday afternoon. I'm in bed, having a slow-ass day, when a text message suddenly appears with a bright and cheery "Hi, Kevin!" (in Korean) from a student who hasn't written me since 2015. She goes on to send me a photo of an old Bodhidharma drawing (brush art) that I'd done for her way back when; she recently found the drawing, which prompted her to text me, I guess. She asks how I've been. I text back, "Fine. And you?" I'm groggy and not in the mood for small talk with half-remembered former students who suddenly pop up out of the blue. She says she's doing really well, whatever that means. I'm in my usual introvert mode, so I don't ask whether she got married and has kids now. Last I spoke with her, years ago, she had a boyfriend. Can't say I'm curious as to how that turned out. I tell my student I'm glad she's doing well. She says she wishes me all the best, so I wish her the same to be polite.
And that's it. No goodbye, nothing. She's gone. Poof. I probably won't hear from her for another five years. I remember she was kind of cute, but she also tended to use lower-register Korean with me, as if she were the same age as I am, and I always resented that on some level. She was no different during our text exchange this past Sunday; some of the old resentfulness resurfaced, but only a little. I honestly couldn't be bothered to care that much.
So weird. So random.
ADDENDUM: I found an old 2015 post with pics of my former student, Da-jeong, in it.
Everyone is different, but if I heard from someone for the first time in five years I'd be touched that they had thought of me. Being remembered is a rare honor I think. A reminder that you made a difference, or at least a positive impression, in someone's life.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the old post and photos too. Memories of a former chapter in your life. At least they weren't the painful kind.
I appreciate the perspective.
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