To,
My dear friends,
I do not know exactly from where to start. But I sure know, at this stage, I would rather call you friends than call you students. So, my friends, in this long battle that we are fighting in our lives, though the battle that we fight may vary and differ from person to person, time to time and place to place, we often have to make decisions, not knowing exactly what might be the consequences; consequences that could determine our fate. Each step we take in our life should be carefully planned on the highway, which is life, that we are walking on for we know not what the future holds for us. The future holds no promise. But then again, it’s not what the future holds for us; it’s ‘What do we or you hold for the future?’. This is the ultimate question that I often ponder from time to time. Though uncertain may be the future, do not let fear douse your enthusiasm.
When you ask yourself questions like: Where do you come from? Where are you going? What are you doing? What are you thinking about? You will find that your answers to these questions change with every minute passing by. Like that field trip we planned, that never happened. But it was fun while it lasted, wasn’t it? We were fixing certain dates, place and how we would spend a lovely time. Though it never happened I could almost feel it happened. It’s the power of the mind that conquers all, next to love. So, letting your imagination run wild just might give you a glimpse of what we had hoped to live. I know you are not satisfied, but I tell you, I’m kind of sad too. It was like I made hollow promises. Because of this I am so sorry and I apologise from the bottom of my heart, if my heart had a bottom. Life can seem so unfair at times. No matter what you do, how hard you try or how willing you are, there’ll be times when you end up feeling like a joke to everyone. Let not this foolish notion bring you down; and I know you will not give up so easily for it will take more than this to take you down. Keep your spirits up.
It was the wind that told me the other day that new members had joined the gang, while some had made a comeback. Make them feel at home for you know not just when you’ll be needing them. The more the merrier. Clouds of fear may cover your blue sky, and in times like this you’ll have shoulders to cry on.
Two writings: a song and a poem that keep me going in the worst kind of shocks and blows are below and I hope they work for you too in the midst of storm and rain. The first one was written by Paul Anka, beautifully sung by Frank Sinatra, the second by H.W. Longfellow. Here they are, I hope you like them:
My Way
-Frank Sinatra
And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
Yes, it was my way.
A Psalm Of Life
- H.W. Longfellow
Tell me not in, mournful numbers,
“Life is but an empty dream!”
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
“Dust thou art, to dust returnest.”
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Finds us farther than today.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world’s field of battle,
In the bi vouac of life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, act in the living present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;---
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main
A forlorn and a shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still persuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.
Well, the real reason I’m writing to you is that I never had the chance to say good-bye. So, this is good-bye for me. I hope this valediction serves as the beginning of an unmatched, long-lasting friendship. And when I consider being in your midst again, I could almost agree to trading all my tomorrows for a single yesterday. But I guess that’s not about to happen. If you chance to meet me anywhere on this planet don’t shy away and hide. And if somehow I forget your names and faces, hit me on my shoulders if you have to, but please most of all do remind me. Remember what I once said: ‘Everyone I meet, there’s a special place in my heart. And I remember.’
You know, when the evening sun slowly sinks on the mountain vale, and the moon rising high above, I wonder, as I always have, just what you guys might be doing, and if I chance to be a fragment of your imagination. At the close of a day a thought often occurs to me; a thought about my angels, my angels without wings, my angels at GCS.
Love always,
Lalmuansanga
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