DEAR NICK

I think it's already more than a month ago that you left us, and I still continue reminding myself that I must go and ask you when we're going to start our classes this year. It's really difficult to accept that, eventhough I can see your car at your door everyday, you're not inside. My dear neighbour, my teacher, my daughter's teacher, my friend. I'm sure you would have loved the wine that I was going to give you as a present for your excellent work, and your consideration towards both my daughter and I. As I write, I remember grammar and vocabulary questions that you clarified  for ever, and I thank you so much... You've left so many children alone for the next course... We're going to miss you so much...! I know it's no use to tell you these things now that you're gone;  we've got this terrible habit of telling the merits of a person when they're not listening! But still, if you  were, I would like you to know that your students adore you, that the hours of work and worry, of class preparation and  checking, your method and your teaching really worked; your patience, your kindness, your smile...they have already been settled in our hearts. You've become a well-konwn, beloved character in our neighbourhood, and I've heard not a single word of criticism or dislike regarding your person. That's a significant fact which nowadays is very rare to find, and is something that for sure I would be proud of having achieved. Thank you so much for your teaching, for your nice, intelligent conversation, and for having met you; you were a maravellous person, and we'll never forget you.