Reminding Me Till Now

Growing up, I had many wonderful afternoons where I was sitting side by side with my father while looking at the people passing by our very busy street. It was my pleasure to see life through a father’s view, but more importantly, through a well-experienced, well-travelled man’s eyes. It was something I wouldn’t exchange for anything. I was enlightened in many ways.

“Do you know how much that man earns in a day?” This was his question after we bought 5-peso onions packed in a small plastic bag from a man who had been carrying a sack full of onions for God knows how long. ”How much?” I asked with disinterest. “Probably 100-200 pesos.” I did not believe him at first for I thought that amount was not worth earning to compernsate the long walking with a heavy sack on your back, under the scorching heat of the sun. If I were him, I would find another job or use a bike or a karitela! But perhaps he had nothing but his two rugged feet and a brave heart. I was somehow able to get the message later in life.

I had heard statements like “There are many people who would want to be in your place” or something like “Do you know that there are people dying right now because of hunger?” Back then, I would just roll my eyes and ignore my father’s “corny” persuasions so I would start eating the food on the table or not ask him of an allowance increase. For me, it was another tactical maneuvering of my very bright father and I would never fall on that trap! But I realized as an adult, it wasn’t. It’s, in fact, a fact of life. That there are indeed people who died and are dying because of hunger. That there are many people who would love to have what I have. That there are those people who have worse than I do. That the man with a sack of onion was a real person, with a real family; he was willing to endure anything for his family.

Just this morning, I was thinking about many things that have happened in my life. Most of what I was able to remember were anything but positive thoughts - regrets, failures, wrong decisions, worries etc. Then I came across this on the net: “You have so much to be thankful for and you really need to learn to be happy and content with your life, instead of always looking for more.”