“Hey Doc, you want me to make you feel old?” was a tongue in cheek question from one of my college juniors, barely 21 years old. I looked at him with a hint of intrigue, waiting for a brick to fall, in front of the entire class.
“You taught my Mom in the early 90’s, she loved your class, and still remembers you.”
It took more than a minute for the laughter in the class to subside.
Yikes! the next generation is here!!
During the break, he showed me photos of his mom with a gleeful disposition. While I did not recognize her, I was engulfed with a feeling of warmth and pride, particularly moved that she even remembered me after all these years, and that I had somehow touched her life.
Surprisingly, I did not feel old. I felt a sense of accomplishment and reward that, till today, is difficult to put into words.
Though the next generation may be here. Stay tuned. This old dog still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
About Hemant Rustogi