By Danica Lim
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” My Senior Class chose this quote for our class motto.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” This past year, I’ve experienced many overs. Like my last football game under the Friday night lights. My last school bell ringing in my ears. My last goodbyes to teachers who became my mentors. My last moments with my fellow classmates that might become strangers in the next couple of years. Yet each ending was delivered with a gift of a memory. This senior year was filled with a bittersweet feeling as many of us don’t want to face the fact that we’re ending what seemed like such an important chapter of our lives, and moving on to the next.
When we were younger, high school seemed like a distant dream. An era of adulthood, where life is on cloud 9. But now that I’ve reached this finish line, I’ve come to realize how fast the time flies by and that high school is filled with ups and downs, friendships, and growth.
I joined YBA my freshman year with high expectations. Having an older sibling in YBA only motivated me because I saw all the relationships, experiences, and free food she would get. Although I was already familiar with the Temple because of the countless Tri-City events, Nakayoshi Gakko, and Obon Festivals I had attended, I still had knots in my stomach. I still remember walking into the hondo, mirroring the peers around me. They bowed, so I bowed. They put their hands together In Gassho, so I put my hands together in gassho. They opened the service book pretending to chant, so I opened the service book pretending to chant. Here comes the best part. “We will now do oshoko, which is the offering of incense.” I was freaking out trying to figure out the pattern.
Bow, step forward, pinch incense, bow, step back, bow again.
I was so worried about doing it wrong that I couldn’t sit straight. It wasn’t until the person next to me noticed how nervous I was and whispered in my ear. “Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be perfect.” I had this instant feeling of relief, and I knew I was in good hands.
Like many members before me have said, YBA is not just a community, but a family. I’ve been welcomed with kind and respectful members, mentored by the wisest and sweetest advisors. I’ve been raised with people who allow me to be myself, and children who remind me how fortunate it is to grow up in this Temple. YBA has taught me lessons that I’ll carry with me forever.
Although this chapter is closing, the lessons, friendships, and wisdom I’ve gained will continue to appear in my story.
To my fellow YBA members, past and present, Thank You for making this journey unforgettable.
To the advisors, your patience and wisdom have shaped me in ways I’ll always cherish.
To the Sangha, thank you for being so welcoming and allowing me to develop into the person I am today.
My experience here has come to an end, but instead of being sad of leaving this Sangha, I’m leaving happy it happened. I’m happy to have met all you. I’m happy to listened to the countless Dharma Talks. I’m happy to have met such amazing people.
I’m not crying because it’s over, but instead I’m smiling because it happened.
Thank you.