Some People You Meet!

We are both not that expert on selfies. On top of that not really photogenic!

There are people who despite time and space stay with you. Jake seems to be one of them.

I met Jake Garber when he came to my school in Nepal to teach for a month or so. It was 2001 and I was 8th grade student. He was the person who introduced me to the word 'atheism' among many other interesting thoughts and ideas during our chitchats.

I got to see him after 17 years in London few days back. Somehow, we seem to have managed to stay in touch through rare emails, then LinkedIn, now Whatsapp.

While on my way to meet him I kept thinking how (why? what is it? kinda questions!) am I still in touch with him, all these years!We both are surprised and baffled at this fact! Of course, it became obvious after speaking with him for few minutes. Even then, he was a great teacher, clear on ideas and his thoughts, and had a very warm, persuasive and charming personality. These characters seem to have grown with time and I could not help but be inspired with this amazingly unique person.

During our long chitchat ranging from study to work to politics, struggles and confusions (just mine!) he uplifted my confidence, made me reflect on things that I had blind-sided (yes! it was sadly embarrassing!) and with patience offered his suggestions and advises. Feeling how wonderful it would be to meet this warm person more often (with realisation that next time it could be more than 2 decades before we meet!) I asked: "Do you think the Earth is round?" He promptly replied,"That is what I have been told!"

Thinking of his answer still makes me smile. At that time, I became more sure why I have always felt a kind of connection with him. There are very few people who can answer this question as the way he did, and without a blink. These kind of people make me happy.

This answer is what I will carry with me from this meeting believing in whoever told
that 'the earth is round' and eagerly wait for the time when I can meet this inspiring person as he makes me believe in learning.

Until then!