April 01, 2019
About five years ago, I attended a memorial event for one of my favorite high school teachers who recently passed away. The educator’s family held the event at SBHS and invited both students and faculty from multiple generations together who were impacted by this incredible woman and educator to celebrate her life, share their stories and to honor her wonderful footprint she left not only in education but in the lives of so many of us. As I attentively listened to each individual who approached the podium. The stories shared became very telling, despite having different generations of students speak from the heart on how she touched their lives, a recurring common theme presented itself. This highly esteemed educator always lived in the moment of the present. She had an uncanny and unique ability to get to know each of one us and made us feel as if we were the most important person when we had one-on-one time with her. Somehow, she was genuinely able to get to know us individually on a deeper level greater than any other teacher any of us ever had. Her love was unconditional and was truly without prejudices towards any kind regardless of any differences we may have had. No matter how full her schedule seemed, she always managed to always find time to meet individually, when we felt our world was falling apart and we needed someone to talk to.
At the conclusion of the memorial event, to my surprise, Mrs. Rosa Parra, my second-year Spanish language teacher, recognized me in the crowd and acknowledged me first. Mrs. Parra definitely was the one of those teachers who fulfilled the role of being a great teacher outside the parameters of not just teaching her academic component but who extended life’s lessons beyond the classroom. She too, was one of those teachers who made a difference by simply being there for her students. Although, I did not necessarily grasp much of the Spanish language, then again language was definitely not one of my strengths, however, her passion in sharing the culture and traditions of Spanish speaking lands fascinated me. As she approached me, she greeted me with a loving embrace, just as if I was family member she had not seen in a long time. We briefly chatted and promised a get together soon, to further catch up and share my days since high school. Prior to our making definitive plans to meet, my favorite saying came into play, once again, “Life gets in the way of living.” The pandemic broke out and the world shut down paired with health issues both of our families faced coupled with other interruptions and distractions. It goes without saying our much-anticipated lunch and catch up was postponed. Shortly after seeing Mrs. Parra at the memorial, I began writing an acrostic poem about my memories of her and finished it in April 2019. I knew, my faith would fulfill my wishes in eventually bring us together when the time is right. This would allow time to catch up and allow me the opportunity to present my gift.
After several chats on social media, we finally, made a date for it to happen. On March 21, 2024, I had the pleasure of finally having our long-awaited lunch happen. The day finally arrived; I would be remiss if I said my nerves were not a little heightened. It was a typical south Florida winter afternoon with comfortable temperatures, making it the picture perfect chamber of commerce type of day. It matched to the day, perhaps it was God’s blessing on finally being able to get together. Over lunch we shared what transpired over the years since my graduation. Mostly good happenings in our lives and some of our more challenging times were shared freely. Before we both knew it, several hours passed by, much faster than I would have hoped; but it gave us both time to reflect on memories and most importantly for me to thank her not necessarily for the academic lessons I learned, but the many lessons of life she passed on and most importantly being there during some of my toughest times of my high school years.
Just before we said our good-byes, I presented her the gift of my acrostic poem wrapped up intentionally in a sheet of a current newspaper. I felt my voice choke with emotions as I thanked her for being a part of my journey when then roads weren’t freshly paved but were mostly a bumpy gravel country dirt road. With tears of gratitude streaming down my face, I watched her remain speechless as she finished reading it. It was then my words indeed proved once again, my written word speaks louder than spoken word. Though we could have continued chatting for another couple more hours, we asked a member take our picture before we finalized our last words. With a loving embrace and her expressing appreciation for her gift, we said a final good-bye and promised to find time to do it again and not wait for time to pass us by.
Blessings to you Mrs. Parra, thank you for being a part of my journey during a time when you clearly knew what I needed more than I could possibly pinpoint it myself. It wasn’t until years after graduation and working with my own group of children and teenagers, that I know when teachers tell me that you just know, when you are in tune to the same frequencies.
Here’s to you Señora Parra,
¡Muchos Gracias! ¡Fuiste tú quien nos preparó para el éxito de la vida!
(Many thanks! It was you who staged us for life's success!)
P.S. By the way, I don’t anticipate she would remember the first speaking exercise we did on the first day of class back in 1986 … but unbeknownst to either of us at the time, the exercise introduced me to the brother from another mother or what would become my life’s best friend. It all started simply when we had turn around and introduce ourselves to each other in Spanish,
“¡Hola! Me llamo Roberto. ¿Cómo estás? ¿En qué año estas?”
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The actual poem was written in February 2019 shortly after the memorial of a beloved educator at South Broward High School, Hollywood, FL. Due to COVID and family emergencies our actual meeting didn't occur until 5 years later in March 2024.
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RECUERDO CUANDO…
I REMEMBER WHEN…
Entering with anxiety and my worst fear.
Ñ’s and more strange sounding and looking letters,
Only confirmed to me language was not my game.
Right as the tardy bell rang, I raced to your room,
And quickly found an empty seat near the room’s rear.
Remembering this will be two long semesters,
Only a small break split the year’s two term time frame.
Scanning the room, hoping to recognize a friend,
All I saw was a class filled with underclassmen.
Perhaps I could make new friends with someone near me,
Albeit, I knew I had to make the first move.
Ready to attempt and introduce myself, yet,
Rebutting all my attempts at any small talk.
Although I tried, he wasn’t ready for friendship,
So, I became his daily annoying distraction.
Probing with questions, again l tried to befriend,
Any chance of making friends stopped with my chagrin.
Not quite ready to give up yet, I’ll let him be,
In retreat, back to our tasks, I planned my next move.
Somewhere reciting the full Spanish alphabet,
Hearing sight words pronounced just left my brain in shock.
In my turn, all I pulled off was an awkward flip,
In an entirely embarrassing self-action.
Studying and practicing barely seemed enough,
But I think you felt pity and offered to help.
Hoping, I didn’t waste your time, I tried harder,
Somehow, I managed to survive to the next term.
Countless times over the years, I wished to thank you,
Least was for being my year two Spanish teacher.
As l remember, your patience, guidance and laughs,
Seemed often, but you helped me through some hard times.
Starting each journey, I started collecting stuff,
Only mementos of memories which I held.
For my life’s been like a winning hand of poker,
I bluffed more often than won over the long term.
Passing months, soon became years and now, decades too,
Blessings of life’s lessons whispered into my ear.
Brought forth yearbooks, lost letters and old photographs,
Teasing memories of the nostalgic pastimes.
Having not gained any aptitude for language,
At best, I can only find the nearest restroom.
Notwithstanding, unbeknownst to either of us,
Kismet spirits brought together lifelong best friends.
Yet, our differences worked toward our advantage,
Opposite and polarized, nevertheless true.
Uniting our universe, without a compass,
¡La amistad es como el vino, mientras más vieja, más fuerte!
¡Fuiste tú quien nos preparó para el éxito de la vida!
It was you who staged us for life's success!
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| 03.21.24 - Mrs. Rosa Parra and author, Pembroke Pines, FL |
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