My elementary school teacher was my inspiration to continue in music. She knew how to make everything we learned fun. She gave us hands on experiences with Caribbean instruments. Bongos, congos, and even steel drums if we were in her special steel drum ensemble. I learned how to play a trumpet as well thanks to her.
Even after I moved on to middle school, I came back occasionally just to see her and the music room. The kids she was with always had a lot of fun that I wish I could still be apart of.
Now I'm in high school, and last year, it was announced that she would be retiring because she is diagnosed with cancer. I heard the news through my friend, who has a younger sister still in our elementary school. I haven't seen my teacher once since then. I saw her husband, but I didn't want to touch such a subject.
Recently, it was announced that she was in the hospital. Her cancer reached her lungs. The day I heard the news, I couldn't bring myself to smile. By the end of the day, I just burst into tears. I can't imagine a world without her.
My friend and I decided to join the organization that's organizing a special tribute for the music teacher. My friend made a decision to call all of our old classmates who played steel drums with us. I decided to fold 1000 cranes for her with friends, each crane symbolizing how many students she's touched.