Sentimental Journeys

Many of us meet many people daily, some faces are forgotten as easily as they come but there are a few who leave a mark. Whose spark shines after they are no longer present. I was fortunate to have met Chris who instantly made me comfortable on the first day of induction. Whose pleasant countenance made it possible for me to approach him to ask, ‘where is the HR office please?’

At the beginning, one feels a little awkward, a little shy. Everything is new. The green walls are new, the glass doors and windows are new, and all the faces are new. The vast modern building accommodates over a thousand people at any one time. How will I manage? What If they don’t like me? I am overwhelmed as I try to inhale my new existence. Chris, however, dispelled the knot in my stomach. He had a familiar warmth in his smile. I knew I could talk to him. He put me at ease and gave me that reassurance ‘you will be fine.”

I enjoyed talking to him, whenever I had the opportunity and the one thing that I will remember is that he made me laugh with his jokes. As much as I wish, we will not be able to have him back, but I shall remember him in a few words I can gather to express my thoughts.

I hear his chuckle and it fills my brain
I can recall the last meeting where he sat opposite me
His generous frame folding over the arms of the chair
The rolls of his hand holding a pen
I smile at his mischievous grin as
He pulls someone’s leg because they are late
His jovial nature breaks the ice
We relax as laughter grows louder until,
We receive the look, and a cough.
Silence.

How casual that was, how easy that was.
Now, the meetings continue in the monotonous tone
The lessons continue
Chris is not there but his classes continue.
Cruelty of nature that sufferers only know,
Chris leaves, but others come to fill to his shoes
They are not the same, yet they have his room.
How easily they found another to take over
How easily he is replaced
How casually they walk
How frankly they talk
And so, it carries on.
Life carries on.