Friday was the final day. We rose from bed, reveled in the beauty of the mountains for one final time, pondered the scriptures, packed our bags, and headed off to breakfast. I met several of my new friends' families and we spoke over one final Mohonk Mountain House breakfast. After we had eaten our fill, we moved off towards the parlor where we were delighted by Cathy Sarah's students' theatre presentation. All did splendidly. After the performance's conclusion, we were directed to the Conference Center where the other teachers presented the other work we had contributed to. It was such a wonderful time, where many a-back received a friendly pat and cheers were lifted in admiration. We closed with Phillip Telfer's beautiful song "Pour It Out"... the song that had touched so many of us when we had sung it Wednesday night. The teachers were then called up onto the stage and the students were given the opportunity to beggar them with questions for about an hour. When the questions had been asked and the jokes uttered, the masters stepped down and allowed us all shake their hands and thank them for their wonderful instruction.
And say goodbye. These masters, mentors, teachers, where our family. They had passed on their knowledge to us, and we were doleful to bid them adieu. Hands were shaken, hugs were given. Goodbyes spoken in a tone of sorrow.
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| Cathy Sara, stage-acting teacher, and I... |
Lunch remained the final meeting-place for us students and many crowded to the tables to eat our final meal together. We laughed and joked, sang and spoke. More hugs, more shakes of the hand. After lunch, group pictures were shot, final farewells were given, contact information was exchanged, final hugs, final fist-bumps... promises to write, to collaborate, to further our relationships. We laughed, if not to keep from crying. We smiled, if not to keep from grimacing at the thought of long separation. Brotherhoods had been formed. They would not be broken, our new friendships not severed. Finally we had to tear ourselves away as we headed off on our separate paths. But I know I will never forget those faces. We behaved boldly to encourage each other, but we pained to say goodbye. This band of brothers formed, this fellowship of minds... it cannot, nor will it, come to an end. Great things will come of our companionship, our camaraderie.
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| Cody (Never did gave him a nickname...) and I... |
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| Alex (Frodo), Me, Ben (Joisy-Boy), and Garret... |
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| The Roommates... |
Honestly - the days I spent at the Guild were entirely unforgettable. It was a wonderful time and a valuable business choice. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And while saying farewell to my new friends was bitter and also sweet, I look forward to strengthening those relationships as we live on and encouraging each other in Godliness, like iron sharpens iron. Until we meet again, Ladies and Gents!
I concur :)
ReplyDelete~Merida