My husband and I attended a funeral of his colleague's father. It was a grand occasion. There were two school bands in attendance. Money was donated to thirty two worthy organizations. The deceased spent thirty odd best years in his life teaching in a few Chinese medium elementary schools.
It was not a sad event. From the eulogy of the deceased's student who had a head of silver hair, we felt that it was a celebration of a disciplined and diligent life spent in educating the young and bettering our society through education. Years ago teachers were greatly respected. Teaching was a noble profession. Now everybody who is anybody has children who are medical doctors, lawyers, engineers and accountants. Very few parents and children would consider teaching as first choice. It is quite common to hear of parents who went to their children's schools to argue, quarrel or insult the teachers. In one or two cases things end up in the police station.
Therefore it is gratifying to know that in that particular family there are three generations in the teaching profession. There is yet hope in our schools if there are more families like that.
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