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Things that make me smile - Special Edition
Posted by The Red Devil
on
Friday, January 07, 2011
in
Change the world,
Life is beautiful,
Things that make me smile
I found this story on Facebook where a friend of mine posted it from another person's notes. It was so touching and amazing that I immediately sent a message to the author, Leslie Perez, asking for permission to reprint it. She graciously agreed and now, I share it with all of you to read.
Along with other regular commuters, I was in my car, inching my way along Buendia. I was already somewhere between Reposo and Makati Avenue, and usually when I get to that area I become more wary of my door locks. This is mainly due to the frequent beggars who harass me for money, especially since my windows don't have tint. I'm not one to loosely hand over change to each person who knocks on my window, let alone those insistent ones who use their kids to fish for compassion and make it seem as though you owe it to them to give them money.
Tonight there was this man who was walking along the side of the island, carrying two full garbage bags on his left hand and another one plus a stick on his right. On top of that, there was a young girl sleeping on his back, strapped to him like a baby. He walked slowly and mindfully, making sure her legs or feet didn't hit any of the cars. At one point he dropped the bags and carefully climbed onto the island. I watched as he balanced himself while he picked up an empty plastic bottle. He put it in one of the bags before gathering them all together again and walking on.
After about 20 small steps he dropped the bags again, and this time he gradually positioned himself on the side of the island, adjusting his daughter's position first before he finally settled into his spot right at the edge. I saw him look up to the heavens as he wiped his forehead and caught his breath. He looked back at his daughter, fixed the position of her feet, and patted her head while he seemed to say something to her.
I choked back my tears as I fished out my camera from my bag. I wanted to capture this moment. This person. This hero to his daughter. When I finally had the camera in my hand, though, I couldn't do it. I couldn't point it at them and exploit the moment that had humbled me.
The stoplight turned green. I wished it would immediately turn red so I can have a quick chat with the man, but I knew too well it would stay green longer than my turn to pass the intersection. So I fished out a bill from my wallet, drove on, and slowed down when I passed their spot. The man was surprised to find me rolling down my window in front of him. "Kuya, konting pantulong lang. Happy new year!" He looked like he couldn't understand what was going on and hesitated to take the money, but I insisted. He looked at the empty road in front of me while the green light stayed illuminated. Still looking confused, he took the money and said, "maraming salamat po…"
I smiled and shifted my gear to drive forward, expecting horns to blow off since I basically held off traffic. But there were no horns. There were no rushing cars cutting into my lane to get ahead. I looked at my side mirror and saw the cars behind me slowing down and handing things out to the man as well. The man still looked confused, and his daughter still seemed asleep when I turned the corner.
I've always respected those people on the streets who work hard to make a living instead of just begging to tide things over. Tonight, though, was the first time I saw that sort of dedication and diligence that came with NOT bothering anyone else. He wasn't wagging about toys, pranellas, flowers, or whatever in front of me. He was just simply going about his business of collecting plastic bottles WHILE watching over his daughter, carrying all that weight and not minding the burden.
There's really something about hard-working fathers who show great care for their children that get me, and get me hard. This one was spot on, and that image will forever be etched in my mind. Despite everything I have right now, I am silently envious of all that that young girl has. I am truly grateful for witnessing such love.
Tonight there was this man who was walking along the side of the island, carrying two full garbage bags on his left hand and another one plus a stick on his right. On top of that, there was a young girl sleeping on his back, strapped to him like a baby. He walked slowly and mindfully, making sure her legs or feet didn't hit any of the cars. At one point he dropped the bags and carefully climbed onto the island. I watched as he balanced himself while he picked up an empty plastic bottle. He put it in one of the bags before gathering them all together again and walking on.
After about 20 small steps he dropped the bags again, and this time he gradually positioned himself on the side of the island, adjusting his daughter's position first before he finally settled into his spot right at the edge. I saw him look up to the heavens as he wiped his forehead and caught his breath. He looked back at his daughter, fixed the position of her feet, and patted her head while he seemed to say something to her.
I choked back my tears as I fished out my camera from my bag. I wanted to capture this moment. This person. This hero to his daughter. When I finally had the camera in my hand, though, I couldn't do it. I couldn't point it at them and exploit the moment that had humbled me.
The stoplight turned green. I wished it would immediately turn red so I can have a quick chat with the man, but I knew too well it would stay green longer than my turn to pass the intersection. So I fished out a bill from my wallet, drove on, and slowed down when I passed their spot. The man was surprised to find me rolling down my window in front of him. "Kuya, konting pantulong lang. Happy new year!" He looked like he couldn't understand what was going on and hesitated to take the money, but I insisted. He looked at the empty road in front of me while the green light stayed illuminated. Still looking confused, he took the money and said, "maraming salamat po…"
I smiled and shifted my gear to drive forward, expecting horns to blow off since I basically held off traffic. But there were no horns. There were no rushing cars cutting into my lane to get ahead. I looked at my side mirror and saw the cars behind me slowing down and handing things out to the man as well. The man still looked confused, and his daughter still seemed asleep when I turned the corner.
I've always respected those people on the streets who work hard to make a living instead of just begging to tide things over. Tonight, though, was the first time I saw that sort of dedication and diligence that came with NOT bothering anyone else. He wasn't wagging about toys, pranellas, flowers, or whatever in front of me. He was just simply going about his business of collecting plastic bottles WHILE watching over his daughter, carrying all that weight and not minding the burden.
There's really something about hard-working fathers who show great care for their children that get me, and get me hard. This one was spot on, and that image will forever be etched in my mind. Despite everything I have right now, I am silently envious of all that that young girl has. I am truly grateful for witnessing such love.
