Sunday, March 03, 2013

gratitude is a two-way street

well, this happened atop the overpass or walkover bridge near my wife's office building.  i was to meet her there and i needed to use this to crossover to the other side of the street.

there was this middle-aged lady who laid sprawled on the cement floor right in the middle of that overpass.  lady was unkempt, long, greyish hair was uncombed, her face and arms sun-burnt;  clothes were filthy and torn in places.  she laid there with eyes closed.  she had her face towards the sun. i was so sure she really planned it this way so the sun's rays can shine over her face and that passers-by can see it's ragged lines and its pained demeanor.  her left hand was over her shrunken belly and her right hand was extended outward holding her plastic begging cup.  this was her office.  on that day, she chose this site to do her begging.

then i noticed this two.  a young mother and her boy, around six years old.  both had just come up the stairs on the opposite side.  they were just a few paces from the lady beggar.  boy was holding a twenty peso paper bill in his small hands.  he was hesitant to go near the sprawled beggar.  no, not hesitant, i'd say, he was scared. of the lady beggar.  just lying there on that cement floor, unmoving, looking sad and dirty and helpless at the same time.  the mother was egging the boy to approach the beggar and drop the bill on the plastic cup.  he had this determined look on his face but still he could not will his feet to take some steps.  his mother took him by the shoulder and nudged him nearer.  he clutched tightly at her sleeves.

lady beggar had noticed this commotion near her and pulled herself up into a kneeling pose toward the two.  i saw her smile beseechingly at the lad and nodded her head towards him beckoning him to come near, coaxing him to give her the money.  she dropped her plastic cup by her feet and extended both her arms towards the boy, palms upward.

mother and child were near her now and the boy found the courage to approach the lady beggar.  he dropped the money in her outstretched palms and immediately ran back to his mom.  the beggar flashed him a wide, toothless smile.  a thankful smile. a joyful smile of gratitude.  twenty pesos will be a big help.  way different from the few, small coins in that plastic cup.

young mother and son looked lovingly at each other.  as they walked past the lady beggar, she was still nodding and smiling at them. finally, i saw the little boy flashed a  smile towards her.  young mom smiled at her too.  i feel those smiles are smiles of joy and gratitude also.

for the lady beggar with the ragged face.  for allowing them to help her this early sunlit morning.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great story Sito my friend!

Strange how this society makes it easy to just push aside those in need as we're in our rush to make our own money,
so nice when our true humanity can shine through...
take care!

Anonymous said...

touching, da :) it is fascinating on how you observed all of these gestures and emotions ^_^

sito saguid said...

thanks for visiting dear friend. yes it's sad most of us take the sad plight of our brothers and sisters in the streets for granted. well, i guess you have partly explained the reason why -- that we have to take of ourselves first -- and so we madly dash headlong in search of money and material gains. question is, when do we stop acquiring wealth? when is enough enough?

sito saguid said...

thanks for the visit anonymous. it is unfortunate you forgot to give me a hint who you are.
yes, in the daily grind of our lives i make it a point to stop, to look, and to listen. i always believe life is huge schoolhouse and everyday it gives us lessons on how to live it fully and properly and meaningfully.

christopherdossantos3@gmail.com said...

Namaste brother; very nice to stop by your site again. I hope all is well with you and your lovely family. Great story, as always a pleasure to drink of your cup.

In Lak'ech brother Sito, prosper with love live with truth....

sito saguid said...

dear brother

so nice to hear from you again. everything's fine with the family as i know everything's fine with you as well.
you have been missed, welcome back!

Anonymous said...

nothing had you contemplate lately, da? :)looking forward to a new post <3

sito saguid said...

dear anonymous

i have one which i wrote on paper. my internet connection's gone bad lately but i'll post this soon as i can.

thanks for finding the time to visit. give me a hint of who you are on your next comment.

christopherdossantos3@gmail.com said...

Namaste brother Sito;

I had to take a moment to stop by and wish you well. I hope all is going well with your wife and daughter also. I was just remarking to my wife how much I miss your posts. You have been missed and it sure would be nice to enjoy a little story if you have the time.

In Lak' ech, brother Sito, prosper with love... live with joy...

Bani said...

I agree with Christopher! It has been so long that i have started missing your beautiful leaves gathered by you, that you share with such great detail here... Hope you are doing well!
Love and Light

christopherdossantos3@gmail.com said...

Namaste brother, thinking of you and your family for the holiday season. May your home be blessed with love and joy. Thanks for the few posts, look forward to your return in 2014.

In Lak' ech brother, prosper with love... live with unity...

sito saguid said...

Thanks for the good thoughts brother Chris and bani. The family is well. I just went into this self imposed hiatus. Just done rereading my older blogs. Revisited myself.

I shall soon write again. Meanwhile i am always finding time to visit your blogs whenever my internet allows me to.

A blessed and happy new year.

christopherdossantos3@gmail.com said...

Namaste brother; just stopping by to wish you and your family well.

In Lak' ech brother; prosper with love... live with peace...

sito saguid said...

Thanks for remembering brother. I and the family are well. I miss you guys my internet family. I shall blog again soon. Keep on sharing your nuggets of wisdom. Regards to your family.

sito saguid said...

Thanks for remembering brother. I and the family are well. I miss you guys my internet family. I shall blog again soon. Keep on sharing your nuggets of wisdom. Regards to your family.