Life Is a Lemonade

Ms. Mae

 

When Hong Kong was hit by the 5^th wave of COVID, many of us were bound inside the four walls of our houses. We were more unsure of what was to come as it was the worst wave yet. As a teacher, it was a worrisome time as online lessons are notoriously challenging and unpredictable. Moreover, I wondered if I could foster a genuine relationship with my students and aid them to build friendship with each other through merely the webcam and chat box.

 

Therefore, it was such a pleasant surprise when my P2 students greeted me with big bright smiles in their first online lesson of the year. To them, the only thing that changed was the setting. They were still eager to learn and answer questions, to chat with their teachers, and to spend time with their friends. Understandably, they would rather be in school, but online lessons were not a road block to their enthusiasm to learn nor a hinder to their interaction with other students.

 

Going beyond my expectations, I also witnessed my students taking the initiative to bond and socialise with their classmates via Edmodo. Whether it be sharing about their day-to-day life at home or simply funny stories, their interaction was constant – like the notification sounds from my phone because comments and emojis flooded the Edmodo posts. Likewise, my supporting teacher, Ms. Chan, and I joined them, showing pictures of our baked goods and pet cats. It was heartwarming to see such young children remain optimistic and find their own ways to maintain the happy friendship they have built with their friends.

 

It is not easy to face adversity with a smile on your face. We as adults often live with a shadow overhead. We often focus on the negatives and fixate on finding solutions to our problems. On the other hand, my students have shown me that maybe sometimes, all we need to do is learn how to make our own sun in our gloomy days. When life gives you lemons, instead of focusing on how sour the lemons are, you can focus on the sweetness of life and make lemonade.