Happy Teachers’ Day, Mom!

  •   Sun, Sep 06 2026
  •   By Varghese Johnson

September 6, 2026

For the first time in my life, I celebrate Teachers’ Day on my own.

5th September used to be a special day for me and my mom. I used to wish her, “Happy Teachers’ Day, Mom!” and she would wish me too. It was always a beautiful exchange of words, full of respect and love. I could never imagine that one day I would have to miss this tradition of ours, as I am unable to spend the day with my mother’s presence.

Today, I wish her again.

Happy Teachers’ Day, Mom.

This time, however, my wishes are going to travel far.

My mother was not just my mother, but my first teacher, from whom I greatly benefited. How do I behave properly in this world? When do I say ‘yes’ and when ‘no’? How can we become better people? She was like a good book that guided me through hard times.

As a teacher, my mother was respected and appreciated by all her students. She was wise and knowledgeable, especially in subjects such as Physics and Mathematics. But what made her outstanding among others was not the content of the subject that she taught her students, rather the form. She was creative, witty and caring. She had a special talent for bringing knowledge alive and making it fun. She genuinely loved her students and had a great relationship with her colleagues. Everywhere she went, she left behind traces of knowledge, joy and respect. Even years later, after she retired from teaching, her former students and colleagues remained in contact with her. That was another proof of being an inspiring teacher – one who has left a mark and an incredible legacy behind.

A good teacher can be remembered for the content of the subject he/she teaches but a great teacher, is one who has changed the lives of his/her students. My mother was the latter. She has now left us forever; on a journey she will not come back from. We never wanted her to leave, nor could we imagine the empty space and sorrow that her absence would bring. We wanted more conversations, laughter and smiles, and above all time with her. But life had other plans.

Whatever I am today is partly attributed to her love, support, guidance and sacrifice. Her principles helped shape who I have become, her guidance has inspired me, and her good words still resonate in my mind. Even today, when I address my own students, there is always some trace of her in me. A teacher corrects students to make them better, not to tear them down, but to help them realize their full potential. My mother taught me that not only as a teacher but in many ways in her own life. There is a beautiful saying which says that God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. Today, those beautiful words have special meaning to me. My mother may not be with me physically but her teachings live within me. Her words of wisdom continue to guide my life. Although her hands will not hold mine anymore, the values she gave me continue to shape me.

On this Teachers’ Day, I think of all the students who were lucky enough to be her students as well as all the colleagues she worked with. And most importantly, I think of me, her son who was blessed to call her Mom. I only wish that someone, somehow could take me back in time to call her again and again.

“Happy Teachers’ Day, Rachel Teacher!”

Perhaps, somewhere beyond my sight, she hears me.

And perhaps, as she always did every year, she is smiling and wishing me back.

 

 
By Varghese Johnson
Varghese Johnson is an assistant professor at St Joseph’s Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Choondacherry, Palai-Kerala.
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