Sleepless again....
He caught me in time before I smashed my head on the side of the car. I twisted my ankle though and had to lean on him coz my feet can no longer support me. The pain was too much and he had to help me to a seat and told me to just relax and let him handle it.
I was so embarrassed. There were a number of people enjoying late afternoon coffee with their buddies and friends. I felt I was so stupid but mind you, the floor made of tiles was truly slippery.
The gentleman was indeed gentle as he massaged my ankle and treat it with warm compress. I have no idea where he got a towel and warm water. I closed my eyes as I felt the excruciating pain making it difficult for me to move my legs. I lost track of time as the pain bothered me until he spoke and asked if I wanted to be brought to the hospital but I refused.
He continued to help me ease the pain with the warm compress. As the pain lessened I looked at him intently and saw compassion and sincerity in his eyes. I said "I don't know you but thanks so much for taking time to help me. There are still good people in this world. I truly appreciate your help." He looked at me and said "I know that you would have done the same for me if I were in your place" I reflected on his statement and a lot of thoughts crowded my mind like would I have done the same? Or would I have walked away? My answer that very moment was yes, cause I am a recipient of a good deed but if I was not, would I have?
He hailed a cab and offered to bring me home but I told him he has already done so much. Before the cab left, I gave him my card and told him "I hope I can return the favor in some other way" I went home still thinking how good people can be if they wanted to.
A year after, I went to visit a friend at the hospital and as I was leaving, I saw a familiar face on a wheelchair and stared knowing in my heart that I knew him - the gentleman who helped me a year earlier. As I was walking towards him, I was rewarded with a smile - a sad smile. He lifted his hands ready for a handshake and when I caught his hands I felt coldness envelope me. He was very sick.
I looked at him and took the wheelchair from the lady pushing it while asking the room number. I started moving the wheelchair while telling him how my ankle healed and he was chuckling happily listening. At that moment, I felt as if I knew him for a very long time. He told me about his life after we met the first time – the parties he attended with friends, the experiences he had when he was looking for work in Manila and how he wind up knowing he is ill and so on.
I stayed with him in the hospital for eight hours that day talking to him and watching him while he rested. Went to visit him daily for 60 days and during those times, we shared a moment I know I will never forget. He was happy most of the time I was there together with his family and friends. The only thing I can do for him is to be with him and that was what I did. He did a good fight but I believe, it was time for him to go.
To make the story short, he died two months later..... I didn't tell you he was just 28, at the prime of his life. Today is his death anniversary.
Lesson? Be compassionate
My lesson? Do not walk, buy a car hehehe.....
Instead of worrying why I cannot sleep, I would like to share a
beautiful experience I had in the city of pines. One rainy afternoon, a
few years ago, I was leaving the store of a gasoline station in Baguio
when I slipped and pitched forward nearly bumping my head on a car
parked in front of the establishment had it not been for an alert
gentleman standing nearby.
He caught me in time before I smashed my head on the side of the car. I twisted my ankle though and had to lean on him coz my feet can no longer support me. The pain was too much and he had to help me to a seat and told me to just relax and let him handle it.
I was so embarrassed. There were a number of people enjoying late afternoon coffee with their buddies and friends. I felt I was so stupid but mind you, the floor made of tiles was truly slippery.
The gentleman was indeed gentle as he massaged my ankle and treat it with warm compress. I have no idea where he got a towel and warm water. I closed my eyes as I felt the excruciating pain making it difficult for me to move my legs. I lost track of time as the pain bothered me until he spoke and asked if I wanted to be brought to the hospital but I refused.
He continued to help me ease the pain with the warm compress. As the pain lessened I looked at him intently and saw compassion and sincerity in his eyes. I said "I don't know you but thanks so much for taking time to help me. There are still good people in this world. I truly appreciate your help." He looked at me and said "I know that you would have done the same for me if I were in your place" I reflected on his statement and a lot of thoughts crowded my mind like would I have done the same? Or would I have walked away? My answer that very moment was yes, cause I am a recipient of a good deed but if I was not, would I have?
He hailed a cab and offered to bring me home but I told him he has already done so much. Before the cab left, I gave him my card and told him "I hope I can return the favor in some other way" I went home still thinking how good people can be if they wanted to.
A year after, I went to visit a friend at the hospital and as I was leaving, I saw a familiar face on a wheelchair and stared knowing in my heart that I knew him - the gentleman who helped me a year earlier. As I was walking towards him, I was rewarded with a smile - a sad smile. He lifted his hands ready for a handshake and when I caught his hands I felt coldness envelope me. He was very sick.
I looked at him and took the wheelchair from the lady pushing it while asking the room number. I started moving the wheelchair while telling him how my ankle healed and he was chuckling happily listening. At that moment, I felt as if I knew him for a very long time. He told me about his life after we met the first time – the parties he attended with friends, the experiences he had when he was looking for work in Manila and how he wind up knowing he is ill and so on.
I stayed with him in the hospital for eight hours that day talking to him and watching him while he rested. Went to visit him daily for 60 days and during those times, we shared a moment I know I will never forget. He was happy most of the time I was there together with his family and friends. The only thing I can do for him is to be with him and that was what I did. He did a good fight but I believe, it was time for him to go.
To make the story short, he died two months later..... I didn't tell you he was just 28, at the prime of his life. Today is his death anniversary.
Lesson? Be compassionate
My lesson? Do not walk, buy a car hehehe.....
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