A Former Students Words Made Me Cry

When this old bus driver read the words below written by a former middle school bus student of mine,  I was left speechless with tears literally flowing from my eyes.

Truly Mr. Kim is one of the greatest people I know. For so many people don’t understand how much Mr. Kim has done for quite a lot of people. To me I never looked at Mr. Kim as just my bus driver. He is and always will be, a helping hand, listening ears, an amazing poet, and most importantly,  my best friend. Each school day; morning & afternoon, I was greeted by a welcoming smile and warm heart. To me he didn’t just deliver me safety to and from school, but he brought me courage & strength to keep pushing myself past what I had believed I could have never reached before.  Mr. Kim was always there for me when nobody else was. His wonderful words of wisdom brought new inspiration to my view. Mr. Kim was a loyal friend. As he always keep his promises and knew how to cheer me up when I was having a pretty bad day. Many days I would help sweep the bus steps as he would read one of his marvelous poems or would give advice on my many drawings. Each day that I spent on the bus, not one moment do I remember Mr. Kim frowning or treating one student differently from another. He gave each student respect, even though many never payed attention.  Mr. Kim has done so many things for me, we’d be here forever if I had named them all. One thing I shall never forget about Mr. Kim is his outstanding personality. He showed me how beautiful the world can be, if you just push yourself and keep trying. ” Keep trying ” he’d always tell me when I grow frustrated,  due to the fact that I couldn’t get something right. Every word that Mr. Kim had spoken to me, was another piece of inspiration that I could incorporate into my art work. During my 8th grade year I began to grow sick, for a week at a time I would be missing school and returning the week after. I was always so happy to ride the bus after being gone for some time.  As I knew that Mr. Kim would greet me with a smile and say ” Well where ya been stranger?.” All I could do was laugh as even when I struggled through that day, I knew I still had Mr. Kim to help cheer me up when I returned to the bus that afternoon. When he had told me that ” He was going to try for another route that was shorter and less stress on him”, I knew it was for the best. Yet I knew that if he did,  I would starting my morning from that point on, knowing Mr. Kim wouldn’t greet me with his welcoming smile. The last day before before spring break, I handed Mr. Kim a letter that with ever word wrote down, I had meant each phrase written on that folded piece of paper. Not one single word was just something off the the top of my head. Each word came from within my heart. For 3 years, I had the privilege to have such an incredible bus driver.  I wouldn’t trade those three years for all the riches the world could offer me. They mean so much to me. When I had returned the day after spring break, I was overjoyed to see Mr. Kim sitting in the driver’s seat. Words couldn’t describe the expression on my face. Even though I am no longer riding my favorite middle school bus (03-23), I still will watch out my window as Mr. Kim drives by. Only 4 months into my freshman year and I began to grow very ill. Due to it, I haven’t stepped into the high school since the day before Christmas break. Even though I am no longer in the middle school, Mr. Kim’s words of wisdom allow me to push the pain away and enjoy each and every moment I have. For Mr. Kim is the true ” Rising Star” here. He’s done so much. I am and always will be thankful that I got the privilege to meet such a unbelievable person. For no word could describe how thankful I am. Mr. Kim has gone above the words “Great Expectations” and soared higher than we could imagine. He’s one in an a million.