This happened last Thursday but it hit me so hard just now.

I visited my middle school that evening after classes, and what I intended on doing was just seeing my teachers. The principle there saw me, and shook my hand, welcoming me back. Glad, I headed off to the third floor into the science lab. I saw the teacher there, who welcomed me with the warmest smile and introduced me to the class that period. I remember him saying, "This is Ann. My little scientist. Well, she's not so little anymore. But you all better look up to this girl. She was the best of the best in physics and is the kindest person I know. I think of her a lot as my daughter."

At the time, all I did was smile. Yeah, I felt all warm inside but just now, I started crying just thinking about it. That teacher taught me more than just physics at my duration there. He taught me guitar, science, how to take care of a guinea pig and most importantly, taught me what having a dad was like. I would enter competitions such as Lego Research with my team and he coached us through without pay for 3 hours after school everyday. It was just girls that time, but after each competition, he would hug us and tell us that he was proud to have us as his kids. Yeah, I never paid a lot of specific attention to him or really appreciated what he would do for us but...

I guess you don't realize how good you have it until it's gone.