after being holed up at home for the past three days, i was finally able to go out of the house today. first stop? to drop-off mang rene's goodies. second stop? to look for kids with whom i can share lola's candies with.
as always, mang rene was surprised and happy with the little token we gave him. old as he was, he's one of those people who has that capacity to have his face show just what he is feeling. i caught him in the middle of his "duty" guiding the many vehicles that cross his (if i may say so) territory and it gave me such joy to be given that honest and pure smile of his. imagine being in his place... he's probably in his early 60's and yet despite the chilly weather and the holiday season, he's out there in the street still happily working away - smiling at the drivers and passersby.
it makes me think. given the comfort and blessings i enjoy, i really shouldn't take setbacks or those work problems that creep in day-in and day-out of my work bug me that much. after all, tough as they may be, there's always something that i / the team can do to solve it /them. moreover, i should keep my optimism no matter what. no sense in frowning or getting riled up over things. easier said than done i know, but with constant practice, maybe i can be a little bit more like mang rene in that aspect :)
then there were those kids. it took me a while to find them - as in i was literally going around the area looking for kids to give lola's candies too (did i have a certain criteria? not really. i was just looking for some street kids to somehow share the joy in getting candies with). so left, right, up and down i went... when i finally saw them: a group of little boys playing i'm not sure what. i stopped by the road, rolled down my window and gave the candies to the boy nearest to me.
PURE EXCITEMENT. that's what i saw on his face when he saw that it was a bag of candies that i was handing out the window. but you know what really made my heart smile? when i was driving out... instead of focusing on the candies, a couple of boys ran after my car shouting "ate! thank you ha!!" - my heart just melted. now that's real gratitude. and after experiencing street kids cursing or wishing me ill after not giving any alms (i believe this is a common experience during those times when one's stuck in traffic), my positive point of view of them has once again been restored.
finally it was time to go home... surprise surprise! a friend left something for me (a peace offering / happy new year gift?). thanks v! will share it with the family later.
OH OH! LOOK AT THAT! someone's calling first dibs already!! mr. snowman... please give me back my chocolates!!
lol. happy new year everyone!! here's to a happy, prosperous, friendship - laughter - love and happy memories filled 2011! :)
