6/15 撥穗典禮

        Ironing my suit, one sleeve after another until the cuff finally becomes neat too. This was on a Saturday morning, just hours before the grant ceremony of the graduation of the seniors. While doing the chore, I still didn’t stop the murmuring coming out from my mouth, repeating the lines of the emcee, practicing the sequence of the event. It was, without a doubt, a big day for me and of course for the graduates! I was nervous for sure, as can be seen in the fact that it took me the next thirty minutes trying to make the tie on me right. It wasn’t just because of how big the scale of the event was, but more importantly about sending the seniors away with blessing.

        Jump back to the time of two years ago. I entered our school as a freshman, with the graduates also starting their third year. Back at then, we freshman seldom had chance to see the juniors. There was as few as once or twice a semester to meet them at the dinners after midterms or finals, or the very rare chance to bump into them at the corridors of our department. Nevertheless, every time I see them I would be standing in awe in front of their competent and maturity. I was deeply impressed by their ability to both hold the student council and, at the same time, deal with the heaviest loads of studies of our school. I would see them behind every major event, pulling their best effort to make it successful and enjoyable for the teachers and the students.

        Afterwards, they went on to their internship so it was still hard to meet them in person. However, the caring I felt from them grew even more as I was first confronted with the obstacles arising from the professional subjects. Every time, they would pass on some useful tips to me or say things like: “they’ve all been through too!” these words to cheer me up and it did more or less give me some courage to face the tasks waiting. To me, they were like a very good role model to learn from. What’s more, my senior would occasionally give me advices to improve myself and point out some flaws of me that I, myself couldn’t see. Other than being a mentor, they also occupied an important part in my life.

        I remember I was faced with a hard relationship problem, and also was not used to the rainy weather in Taipei which easily could lead to a depressed feeling. Frankly speaking, I couldn’t think of a worse time in my life than the second semester of college. Back at then, I was totally deprived of motivation, and even the purpose of life. I was on the edge of a cliff, any small breeze would blow me down to the bottom of the miserable trough. Then, one day it was the date of our reunion dinner. Such a turning point to me. The elder fellow student saw the difference in me and started to talk me out of the looming melancholy. That night after the little conversation I was saved. Like a lost boat in the endless sea, suddenly salvaged by the beam of hope straight out from the light house. I was gradually guided towards the main track of life! Since then, my college life began to add more color and brightness to its every page.

        Calling the name of my very dear senior fellow student, she came up the podium to give a speech of the graduates. I could hear through the poetic words of her speech, a gentle shivering now and then expressing the strong sentiment and emotional feelings of her past four years of life. I was deeply touched by the experiences she shared and the promising hopes she held towards the future. I could say that it was not just touching but also very inspiring to every single attendants at site.

Later, the graduates came up the stage one by one to be lifted the linings of their hat, a symbol of finishing their studies. From that very moment on, they were officially graduated from this school and leaving for a brand new start. Thinking of this aroused a slight sigh inside me. Because it was like an elder brother or sister embarking on a faraway trip. There is sadness in this, however, on the other hand also something good to be cheerful. For those elder brothers and sisters, I genuinely thank them for what they have done to give me a push. With all my heart, I wish them good luck on their future roads. And wish to meet again to share our accomplishments with each other.

Sincerely, yours

(作者係PT100 學生)