Today I want to tell you a story. Your story.

You were small, so small that I could lift you with one hand. You were happy, beautiful, and perfect; the most incredible creature in the whole universe.

Your eyes were lost to the world; your incredible gaze was as powerful as the stormy sea and as tender as your mother's eyes.

A simply wonderful creature.

Then I came along, with my graceless ways, my hurry, my desire to take rather than give. I put in peril all that was so wonderful in you: the magic, the burning desire enclosed in your tiny hands.

And you, how stoic you were, how patiently you showed me what unconditional love really is. I tremble at the idea of the immeasurable responsibility entrusted to me.

Then I looked at you, thought you fragile, vulnerable to everything, an absorbing sponge. Suddenly, like the sun breaking through the clouds, I realize how strong you are, how incorruptible and mighty is your young desire.

This thought gave me peace, the glimpse of it, this one yes vulnerable, transient, at the mercy of the wind stirring the gale of my thoughts.

But you were there, like a magnificent rock, rough, not yet smoothed by the tides of life. And I slowly understood, gradually realized how your courage and determination were so disproportionate to your small size, your tender features.

What seemed to me like a small rough rock that emerged in the midst of the sea of life was actually a giant cliff, infinite to the eye. Indestructible except by patient and meticulous work.

And slowly, I understood that the only thing I had to do, was to do nothing. Slowly, I understood that the only option was to sit and admire you. Let the lashing, rushing wind tousle my hair.

As I sit in contemplation, I close my eyes. I can hear the sound of the waves crashing over you, the splashes of froth bouncing off your mighty slopes and falling back transformed into faint vapor.

I can smell the salt that rests on you and, instead of damaging, makes you even stronger, even more beautiful, even more majestic.

I can sense the energy, the fury of life bearing down on you and making you so fantastic, so wonderful.

The grand spectacle of a growing child.

So I decided: I would teach you no more; from today, you would become my teacher, and I would become your humble, clumsy disciple.

I took my place among the desks of your school, the only student of such an eminent teacher. And I was lost in grace, in the joy of this opportunity that life had given me.

But you, with your gentle manner and subtle gaze, brought me back to the present, time after time, without the need for words. Every moment, you showed me what life was really about, how wonderfully sweet existence can be.

You were expanding, every day, every hour, every minute.

And suddenly, you had grown an adult.

You had given me every ounce of your essence. Now the time has come for you to leave me, devote yourself to new adventures and challenges, and take your place among the benches of life.

Because life is like that, we are born professors and become students through a magical awareness of destiny.

Words are no longer needed; they are deceptive, masking, disguising feelings and emotions too great to be expressed.

All that remains are glances, the vibration that constantly unites every single one of us with all the creatures in the universe.

Today I want to tell you a story. Your story.

You were small, so small that I could lift you with one hand. You were happy, beautiful, and perfect; the most incredible creature in the whole universe.

Your eyes were lost to the world; your incredible gaze was as powerful as the stormy sea and as tender as your mother's eyes.

A simply wonderful creature.

Then I came along, with my graceless ways, my hurry, my desire to take rather than give. I put in peril all that was so wonderful in you: the magic, the burning desire enclosed in your tiny hands.

And you, how stoic you were, how patiently you showed me what unconditional love really is. I tremble at the idea of the immeasurable responsibility entrusted to me.

Then I looked at you, thought you fragile, vulnerable to everything, an absorbing sponge. Suddenly, like the sun breaking through the clouds, I realize how strong you are, how incorruptible and mighty is your young desire.

This thought gave me peace, the glimpse of it, this one yes vulnerable, transient, at the mercy of the wind stirring the gale of my thoughts.

But you were there, like a magnificent rock, rough, not yet smoothed by the tides of life. And I slowly understood, gradually realized how your courage and determination were so disproportionate to your small size, your tender features.

What seemed to me like a small rough rock that emerged in the midst of the sea of life was actually a giant cliff, infinite to the eye. Indestructible except by patient and meticulous work.

And slowly, I understood that the only thing I had to do, was to do nothing. Slowly, I understood that the only option was to sit and admire you. Let the lashing, rushing wind tousle my hair.

As I sit in contemplation, I close my eyes. I can hear the sound of the waves crashing over you, the splashes of froth bouncing off your mighty slopes and falling back transformed into faint vapor.

I can smell the salt that rests on you and, instead of damaging, makes you even stronger, even more beautiful, even more majestic.

I can sense the energy, the fury of life bearing down on you and making you so fantastic, so wonderful.

The grand spectacle of a growing child.

So I decided: I would teach you no more; from today, you would become my teacher, and I would become your humble, clumsy disciple.

I took my place among the desks of your school, the only student of such an eminent teacher. And I was lost in grace, in the joy of this opportunity that life had given me.

But you, with your gentle manner and subtle gaze, brought me back to the present, time after time, without the need for words. Every moment, you showed me what life was really about, how wonderfully sweet existence can be.

You were expanding, every day, every hour, every minute.

And suddenly, you had grown an adult.

You had given me every ounce of your essence. Now the time has come for you to leave me, devote yourself to new adventures and challenges, and take your place among the benches of life.

Because life is like that, we are born professors and become students through a magical awareness of destiny.

Words are no longer needed; they are deceptive, masking, disguising feelings and emotions too great to be expressed.

All that remains are glances, the vibration that constantly unites every single one of us with all the creatures in the universe.