那一年,我初次前往海外求學。由於英語基礎薄弱,我對自己施加了極大的壓力,甚至曾經每天逐頁背誦牛津字典,卻始終收效甚微。第一學期結束後,我的成績位列全班最末,學校一度考慮讓我留級。長期的壓力與挫敗逐漸轉化為憤怒,使我在校內變得乖戾難近,甚至成為眾人厭惡的對象,也令我迷失了自己。
就在那段低谷時期,一位名為 Christine 的老師走近了我。她平日寡言,卻每天在放學後主動與我以英語交談,甚至陪我用餐。當時我的英語仍然拙劣,她卻始終耐心地放慢語速,一遍又一遍地表達,讓我逐漸理解。其後,她更利用自己的私人時間為我補習,最終讓我順利通過補考。
她讓我明白到,所謂春風化雨,是無分國籍、無分地域、無分膚色,甚至乎無分語言的。真正的關懷,不來自於我們說同樣的話、擁有同樣的背景,而是來自於一個人願意在另一個人的最艱難時刻,選擇停下腳步,給予耐心與溫暖。
不久之後,我轉往另一所學校繼續升學,離開時未能與她道別。多年後回望,我才明白,有些關懷並不受語言、國界或背景所限。我一直記得她,在我最困難的時候,曾被如此溫柔而堅定地對待。直到今天,每當我遇到挫折,仍會想起她曾對我說過的話:
「Time can overcome anything. First, you need to understand time. It won’t stop and wait for you, but it will always be with you. Time is fair to everyone.」114Please respect copyright.PENANA3iK4IpVRLg
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Dear Christine,
You may not remember me, but I will always remember you.
When I was lost and hard to be around, you still chose to be patient with me. We may never meet again, and perhaps we have gone our separate ways, but I remain deeply grateful for the time you stood by me.
I never had the chance to say goodbye, and I have always regretted that. Even now, years later, I still think of you from time to time—especially when I face challenges in my work.
Thank you for your time, your kindness, and everything you gave me without asking for anything in return. Your influence has stayed with me, and it continues to shape who I am today.114Please respect copyright.PENANAAJj7McN5U3


