There's something about Mary

A couple of times this year, thoughts of Mary Maspiñas come to mind. Where is she now? How is she doing? How can I get in touch with her? Not that we had any unfinished business or anything that needed closure, I just wanted to see her.

Mary Maspiñas is my high school teacher. In elementary, it was Mrs. Estrella who first gave recognition for my writing but it was Mrs. Maspiñas who developed and egged me to write. She was instrumental to my role as the Editor-in-Chief for our high school publication and she was one of the VERY few (including Mrs. Quinain) if not THE ONLY authority when it comes to English grammar in our school that time. No offense to other English teachers. There is something about Mrs. Mary Maspiñas.  That something is her integrity and passion for the English language. 

Imagine my pleasant surprise when one afternoon as I was stepping out from the walk-a-lator of a mall, I saw her. "Mrs. Maspiñas?" She looked surprised. "Hannah Torreon", I shouted. Come to think of it,  I don't know why I shouted as if I was on the phone with a broken line and she can barely hear me. She didn't recognize me because she said I looked different (dang, am not sure if that's a good thing). But then she said, "I still have your letter... Remember?" Thought balloon: Actually Ma'am I don't but I can attribute that to the anesthesia shot on my spine just over a month ago. "I kept it in my scrapbook" she said with a heartfelt smile. I was so touched. All these years she kept something of me... She kept me in her memories. 

We talked for another 5 minutes and took a couple of pictures. I promised to find her online through her daughter as she is already based abroad and has shunned social media and technology altogether. 

Mrs. Maspiñas, sorry it took a while for me to get in touch but here you go, hope this finds you. And I hope this is how you want to find me... in WORDS that you have taught me.