A Beautiful Day To Remember With Love
In response to Dancing Elephants Press Prompt 31 of 52
Summoned to the Principal’s office
It is so many years now but the memory of the beautiful day is still fresh with me.
The Principal called me and although I wondered why she wanted to see me. She and I had a very interesting relationship. Sometimes she was so friendly and other times she would look through me as though she did not recognize me.
Soon I found out that she was like that to everyone.
Official matters
She would call me to discuss department matters as I was in charge. She would take suggestions but do only what she thought was best for the college.
The business department in the college was very strong. We had 4 sections. Three honors and one of an ordinary B.Com.
The college started getting a name of a business college and she thought it was not good for the college because a balance should be there. There should be Economics, Psychology, Philosophy, English, Hindi, Sociology, and History also. Although the strong department protested she had her will and reduced the strength of the students.
My informal meetings with the principal
The same principal was so friendly with me that she would invite me for a cup of tea and while we chatted together, she would suddenly perch in a comfortable position on the sofa and ask me to do reflexology on her as she was tired and her body was hurting.
She would very sweetly say “Preeti bless you dear I am feeling so much better,” when we finished the session.
The farewell day
Today was different, I entered the spacious office and she beckoned me to sit and I did.
She put a draft in my hand and told me that she was writing a recommendation letter for me since my retirement was due and she wanted me to fill in some blanks in it which she might have forgotten. She wanted details of my published books and extra special duties that I had done during my tenure.
I was touched by this gesture. She told me that I did not look retired at all and that I had a lot of sparks. She did not want me to retire. Delhi University had a fixed age of retirement so she would have to relieve me on the last day at the end of my birthday month which was March. It was the last day in fact of my being in college.
She was giving me a wonderful recommendation letter so that I could apply for jobs at a management institute. I told her that I had applied and I was getting good offers but of course, there was a charm in Delhi University and being part of Jesus and Mary College which was so prestigious.
The Principal further told me that it was short notice but I had to have lunch with her in her residence later that day as her personal farewell to me from the college.
The staff farewell is a very fond and sweet memory. Jesus and Mary College are known for a wonderful send-off with lovely speeches and goodbye notes with love. It usually ends with jokes and a few tears too. Saying goodbye is hard. The farewells end with a big lunch spread and that itself is a very fond memory as I was presented with a beautiful gift in pure silver. with the dates of my joining and finishing my service years in the college. (This was held just a day before.)
The farewell at the Principal’s residence
Now the principal of the college was keen that I go to her residence for lunch with her.
At 1.30 PM the principal sent me a message that she was going to her residence for lunch and I should be there after 10 minutes. So freeing myself from my students who were all wishing me well, I went to the Principal’s residence.
I went to her residence. There were twinkling lights to greet me and the drawing room was decorated with flowers to welcome me. Since she was a nun she called the others and they all greeted me. The nuns of the college no longer wear the dress/habit. They either wear grey full skirts with blouses or Indian clothes.
I was ushered to the chapel and we prayed for a wonderful journey ahead. (This is customary in all Catholic institutions to have a prayer session.)
Then the Principal seated me and she served me with her own hands. This was such a humble gesture. Human relationships are complex. I was surprised and felt that she was such a wonderful person that she should feel so much about me and serve me too.
I was truly inspired by her humbleness and that she wanted me to leave with positivity and joy and remember the college with love.
Then we shared our meal together. After that, she presented me with a beautiful silver color flower vase.
She said that she went herself to buy a present for me because in her words: “You are very stylish and I wanted to give you something unique. This vase was beautifully engraved and the shopkeeper told me that it would never get tarnished and remain the same as it is.” (You can see in the above picture how beautiful the vase is and is still with me)
To wrap up
What an amazing day it was. It left a lasting impression on me. I have never forgotten the lovely farewell of the faculty( Professors) and Administration staff. Armed with many bouquets and presents I said goodbye to the college. and worked for 6 and a half years more with a recognized management institute.
The Principal took my heart away by being so humble and giving me a wonderful farewell. She touched me with inspiration to always be humble.
This is true spirituality when you give happiness to another person.
I have never forgotten that beautiful day. It is such a fond memory and relationship imprinted in my heart.
Thank you Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles for this wonderful prompt on fond memories.
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©Dr. Preeti Singh, 2023.
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