Dear Teacher Hitchings,

I was so moved by your letter coming all the way from the United States. I can’t help but reminisce the time we spent together at the summer camp.

I missed the special way you taught us, mixing games with teaching. The classroom was so full of life and happiness. You used fun to stimulate our learning, let us learn with joyfulness.

When I first heard that you were our teacher at Class 18, I was very excited but also with much trepidation. I was worried that my English wouldn’t be good enough to communicate since this is the first time ever that I was in contact with a foreigner. However, when we finally met, I found you were extremely kind and approachable, also full of humors. During our first lesson, I had trouble pronouncing my name in English. You did not feel that I was dumb and repeatedly guided me with so much patience, as if you were a loving father teaching his three-year-old child.

The dinner at the restaurant was such an unforgettable memory. You shared with us your dreams and future plans, as if you were not a teacher anymore but our older brother or, perhaps, a friend. Not only you shared with us your dreams, you also shared with us your story of how you strived to go from a simple clerk to today’s success. It gave me such encouragement. Thank you.

And then, there was the Birthday Party. It is still fresh in my mind. That was the first time I had such a special birthday. You gave us each a candle and let us make a wish. When you lid each of our candles, it was as if you lid each of our hopes and dreams. All of us were so happy that day.

Time flew by so quickly; we passed each day in the summer camp with so much happiness. And yet, each day that passed meant our separation was one day closer. How I hated to let go of you! On the last day of the camp, I was so afraid that I would make a mistake and brought humiliation to our class. But you encouraged us. You instructed us to talk like a real man, stood tall and talk with power and confidence in my voice. The performance was finally over, and the bell of good-bye was about to ring. You would be leaving us soon. All the girls in the class started to cry. But As a man, I ought to be strong; I could not allow myself to cry. I fought hard, but my eyes were already full of tears. As I watched you back leaving us, I could only swallowed hard; I could no longer speak….

In the blink of an eye, it has been more than a month since. But it still feels like it was only yesterday. I am so thankful to PEACH. It gave me a chance to meet all the teachers and classmates and friends. Thank you for allowing me to join this warm and loving family.

Teacher Hitchings, I am doing well and have adjusted to the new environment. I shall strive to achieve my dreams. Thank you for your letter and encouragement, I shall firmly bear that in my heart.

Finally, I wish you and your family well! As the Chinese saying goes, “ A day as my Teacher is a lifetime as my Father”. I will never forget I have a father that I shall respect and love forever.

Your Student,

Harry (Li Jihua)