Heart Broken

On Saturday bright and early, nursing a hangover I went to our baseball game. (it seems that I have had a boat load of farewell parties where the main objective is to get Char drunk). Even though I cheered my little heart out for my boys, we lost our baseball game and thus dashing everyone's hopes of going to the Koshien. For my gr. 12's (whom I absolutely adore), this was their final game of their baseball careers. As you can imagine, there were tears and much crying. It is strange to see some of these tough boys cry. I was absolutely heartbroken. For me, it was probably the last time I would see my baseball boys too. I was just as sad as their were.

As I wrote previously, I was given one of their warm up jerseys as a present, I wore it proudly to their game. One of my cheekier gr. 11's came up to me and said he wanted it. I told him we should trade, so we traded, I now have his jersey and he has mine. I thought it was really sweet, that he liked me enough, (perhaps too much some times) that he wanted to wear my name. I was touched when he showed the rest of the team and everyone oohed and ahhed. This is probably one of my special memories of Japan.

I cannot stress enough, how special this years kids are to me. They have been absolutely great in class and always eager to talk to me. I am sad that I cannot take them home with me. I will miss rubbing their little buzzed baseball hair cuts. They have gotten so used to me doing this, that they just stick their heads up when I walk past.

I am feeling so sad right now, teary eyed and emotional.

I also had the experience of going to a Japanese funeral, something that I did not want to experience. My vice-principal died after being sick for a long time. I was not particularly close with him but I do remember the odd times he would ask me about basketball and the Vancouver Grizzlies. He was not afraid to talk to me at all. It was refreshing. I will miss him.