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SPRING
2002 Hanshi Deshbandhu
ne fine morning, donning my beautiful hard hat and wearing my good shoes, I ventured towards the new building here at Friends School escorted by a handsome young man—Drew. I did not have the vaguest idea what I was going to experience. We braved the yellow mud that surrounded the building and entered it through the side door. As we went in, dark, cold steel stairs welcomed us. Slowly we went down to basement, and all of a sudden, there it was—a huge open space with high ceiling. Immediately I reminisced about the dance classes I had taken when I was younger, which would have been just wonderful in this space.
Well! The best was yet to come. We climbed another unfinished stairway, which led us to the main floor. Wow! I could not believe my eyes; what I was seeing was just magnificent. I felt the same way as I felt when I stepped out of my car and stood by the side of Grand Canyon and looked at that unimaginable sight. The rubble of construction, scrap metal, trash, banging and hammering, shouting, and dust, all seemed like only perfect prop for the grand show. “Oh my God,” I thought, “it’s just beautiful and breathtaking.” I closed my eyes to visualize the library, where in a few months I would be holding my English classes—spacious, open, and cheerful.
We climbed up one more flight of steps. Slowly I glided from classroom to classroom, still in a daze. Large rooms, big windows, beautiful views. ... I envisioned those rooms full of cheerful children eagerly listening to their teachers and learning. What could be more rewarding! more satisfying!
As we were going down the steps, Bob assured me that the elevators will soon be installed and I will be able to use them. I smiled. After climbing the Great Wall of China, and the 48 steps from kitchen floor to bedroom floor in our daughter’s house several times a day, those steps did not seem difficult at all. Well, I may need them in some distant future—maybe.
I was awestruck by the way the whole project evolved. I had attended the building committee meetings with a group of most competent, talented, caring, cooperating, and friendly people. I had listened to the plans, looked at the pictures, and enjoyed learning all the ins and outs of building a building. What fun it was! But it did not prepare me for the grandeur of the project. I salute all the people who are responsible for the beautiful gift to the children of our school.
[The new building on the Mullica Hill campus is expected to be open and filled with children about the time this issue of Salem Quarter News is mailed. It will be named for Teacher Hanshi, who has taught continually at Friends School since its earliest days—Ed.]
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Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
