My Hungarian School

It's a far way off, and yet I hold it inside my arms. A sea of golden memories. I never had such a feast, such a wealth of happiness before. If the country is poor then it is not easy to tell from the way people unite to create a sense of community within the school. That was often transferred to me and has remained with me, hence my return here, at a key stage of the year in my current post in Poland. I made a promise to my group from last year who graduated today, back in September at the start of the academic year, that I would be present today. I did not want to break that promise, though it didn't always seem so likely. Appendicitis among other things tried to stop me, but I defied the obstacles and saw a wonderful group of kids in their smart dress on the final day of their early education. Yesterday, they had felt to include me in their presentation and given me a small gift, a year after my work at the school was theoretically finished. The gesture was fitting, surprising, and totally typical of the school, the staff and kids within and the experience and accompanying emotions I had celebrated here.

It's hard for me to judge Hungary in any way unattached to my time here at the school, quite simply the best year of my life. Everything since has been an uphill struggle, which has served to make me appreciate the things I had and in which direction I would like to progress. This school, here, in this poor part of a majestic city, with a grand heart, has been a lifeline. To return here has fuelled my fire, my passion, and inspired me yet again, as always it did. All the things I love, the music, the writers, the art, the films and comedy, the sportspeople, the other sources of profound inspiration, the wells of magic, and this school. It is one of the saving graces of my days, and so many children who are bright and alive and hopeful attend there.

I stay with a family here. I consider them my second family. They are dear to me. An extension of the school, that perhaps and hopefully I shall always be affiliated to in some way. I like to keep the parts of me that mean something and hold them close. Today, the photos and music, the celebration, the small kids singing to me, sharing their moments, just having fun, wide eyed and absorbing.

Money means nothing. It has no purpose, not really. These are the richest people I have ever known. I know a secret. Nobody else seems to know. Yes, well, the kids know, even if they aren't truly aware of it. You have a shotgun childhood, gone in moments, you emerge into an adult world and lose the wonder and innocence and magic, to sell your soul for the magic beans of the real world. Except it is never what you hope. It looks so good from afar, as you step closer and closer, exiting childhood in favour of the adult world, and it can only really disappoint. Why lose the things that make children so special? What for? It makes no sense. All that matters is looking after one another. All that matters is love, the sense of nurturing those around us, having fun and being safe. Education and patience, knowledge and trust, kindness and honour.

Thank you for the good times. Who knows what is coming next. Let us be not afraid and approach the unknown with out heads held up, with hearts full of love, and ready for new challenges. These are the best days of our lives, however they may feel. We can do anything, all we have to do is believe. I know the most special school on earth. It is my Hungarian school. Nobody can take that away, from me, from us, from the blades of grass growing under children's feet outside in the playground. The way the sun beats down, the way everything was, so perfect, so precise, like a fairytale really.

God bless everyone there, and the best of luck to those who move on from one spectacular and special school.