"Dear Gibbs, you are an example by your very existence. You shared what you loved and passed it on to us. Merry Christmas! Thank you, I love you"
- from a student's words to his teacher 'Gibbs'
A story was told of how 100 disciples gathered to present a surprise performance in the yard of his house for a cancer-fighting old monk.
On the 18th (local time), foreign media such as the US Daily Washington Post reported on the story of the disciples' warm hearts for their teacher under the title, 'The disciples who heard that the teacher was fighting cancer gave him a Christmas present'. .
On the afternoon of Saturday, the 17th, a yellow school bus unexpectedly arrived in Germantown, a small town in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA.
Those who got off the bus were not teenagers, but middle-aged men and women with graying hair.
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Wearing Santa Claus hats or holding handwritten signs, they gathered in the yard of a two-story gray house in the middle of town.
The owner of the yard is their high school teacher, Vincent Gibbs (82).
Around this time of year, Gibbs creates a warm Christmas atmosphere by placing models of deer and sleighs in the front yard of his house and decorating trees and roofs with colorful lights, creating a 'Human Christmas' among the locals (Mr. Christmas). was also called
However, as Gibbs contracted skin cancer this year and received chemotherapy at the hospital, the area around his house, which was a symbol of Christmas, was left without decorations.
Upon hearing the news of their master's battle with cancer, the disciples decide to hold an alumni meeting and prepare for a special performance so that the master can feel the lively Christmas atmosphere.
At that time, the disciples, who had become middle-aged in their 40s and 60s from high school students, began to gather in front of the teacher's house one by one, exchanging contacts through SNS with one mind.
In addition to those who came by school bus, there were about 100 people who gathered from all over the country by plane or train.
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Finally, a special Christmas performance for only one person, Gibbs, who is everyone's teacher, has begun.
The disciples prayed for Master's full recovery by singing carols such as 'Quiet Night, Holy Night' and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' outside the window.
Some disciples stood side by side facing Gibbs, writing “My dear teacher,” “You impressed me,” and “Thank you” on hand signs in order and raised them above their heads.
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From 1960 to her final semester in 1984, Gibbs taught English and theater at a now-closed high school in Rockville, where she met thousands of students, adopted some, and cared for them like her own children.
The disciples who came that day remembered him as a "teacher like a teacher" and said that his teachings, especially in the theater class, had a positive impact on his life.
In particular, David Miller, who came by plane from Denver, said, "I just thought I should come to see the teacher," and said, "Master, Merry Christmas! And thank you."
The disciples thanked Gibbs, who couldn't come out of the house, with a microphone, and delivered a trophy that had been carefully prepared.
In response, Gibbs also greeted his disciples through a second-floor window wearing a Santa hat.
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Gibbs, who saw the students' surprise performance, said, "I'm so thrilled."
Then he added, "I love you all here", "I want to meet you one by one next year" and "If I don't disappear with the wind".
Netizens who came across the story responded such as "It's really touching", "It's a precedent showing how much the teacher's teachings have an impact on life", and "It wasn't my teacher, but it was impressive".
In addition, other students who remember Gibbs also remembered Gibbs through comments and expressed their gratitude to his teacher.
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“Mr. Gibbs was my high school English teacher. He pushed us to do our best. He was always confident in his teachings and himself. teaching) is continuing my career now. Thank you!"
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"Mr. Gibbs was hilarious, inspirational, and a true lover of literature and fun. He had such a natural talent that even students who weren't interested in the arts would fall in love with him. The man my wife had only heard about for 50 years. I wanted to see (Gibbs), so I followed my disciples to visit.”
(Photo = Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post, Yonhap News)