Airport – A Place for Contemplation
To some people, the airport is just a place where planes take off and land. To frequent travelers such as businessmen, the airport is often perceived as the gateway to infinitely many opportunities as they travel around to expand their business or meet clients. However, to me, the airport taught me to appreciate the family bond and friendship. It instilled in me the courage to step beyond the safety grid and the confidence to start a new chapter in my life. I learnt to think more maturely, and I knew my mum deserved more than a wrinkled complexion.
It was a couple of months ago when I was separated from my family, starting a new chapter in the States. I heard the announcement of my flight. It was the right time for me to board. I hurried to the safety grid where I glanced momentarily at each of my beloved family members and close friends who had come to send me off. I took a look at my beloved mum. Time had cruelly taken away her youth. I could see the slight wrinkles on her face. This was so unfair! My heart was tinged with considerable melancholy when I tried to comprehend why all the magnanimous sacrifices that she made were rewarded a wrinkled countenance. I looked at her more closely. She was happy to see her grown up son embarking on a new journey in a foreign land. At the same time, I could see through her hidden grieves and worries. After all, this was my very first time leaving home to somewhere substantially far away. To mum, I was always a cute smiling angel who sometimes played a role of a little screaming monster, waiting keenly to be breastfed in her affectionate arms with tender care. I embraced her as tightly as I could, feeling the indescribable strong bond between us, sensing the endless love that she has been pouring on me. A drop of tear rolled over her smooth cheek, making my heart sob terribly loud inside.
However, my AUSMAT (Australian Matriculation) friends are changing their roles now. In August 2004, they sent me off. Now, they are about to bravely step across the safety grid. They are about to carry the luggages on the plane. They are going to bid goodbye to others. I regret that I could not send them off. I wish I could. In Chang Yang’s blog, there is an article that reminds me about a nice song, i.e. Leaving on a Jet Plane. I love that song a lot. Allow me to quote the lyrics.
I’m … I’m …
All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go
I’m standin’ here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbyeBut the dawn is breakin’, it’s early morn
The taxi’s waitin’, he’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so lonesome I could dieSo kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go‘Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to goI’m …
There’s so many times I’ve let you down
So many times I’ve played around
I’ll tell you now, they don’t mean a thingEvery place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back I’ll wear your wedding ringSo kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go‘Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to goNow the time has come to leave you
One more time, oh, let me kiss you
And close your eyes and I’ll be on my wayDream about the days to come
When I won’t have to leave alone
About the times that I won’t have to say …Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go‘Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to goAnd I’m leaving on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to goBut I’m leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
Leaving on a jet plane
(Ah ah ah ah)
(Leaving) On a jet plane
What a post, Eric!
Yeah, I remember that moment till now. I told you mum that you have materialised your dream. Haven’t you?
I take things naturally as it comes. Probably I have to make things happen. But somehow there are things which are out of my grasp now. I don’t know.
Sorry for rambling. But I was touched by your post dearly.
Yeah, it is a really touching post, Eric!
Ha, my tears are about to roll down, but I try to control. I think that is how every mother feels when her beloved child is leaving her. But i know, your mum should be really proud of you that you’ve the chance to further your tertiary education in the States…So, don’t let her down, ok?
Yeah, AUSMAT friends are leaving really really soon, and it’s sad that we can’t send them off…Time really flies, in a wink, they will be experiencing what we had experienced a couple of months a ago.
Good luck to everyone~
Ren Jie
it IS indeed a very touching post, Eric. i was nearly moved to tears.
what u wrote made me wonder whether i will be in your shoes or not in one or two years’ time. yes, in one or two years, it’ll be my turn to leave my beloved ones to pursue my dreams in i-still-dunno-where. i hope that i will be tough.
as u commented in one of my posts, ‘Mom’s the best in the world’. it sure does applies here too…
Li Enn, please don’t give too much “pressure” to yourself… Study (SPM) for the sake of your future, and future is not merely defined as getting a scholarship. What I mean is it is indeed good to have goals in acheiving good results in SPM, but don’t let that be your sole purpose of sitting for SPM.