opportune

right after my fine time at the ecosophia garden, i go looking forward to taking my bus ride home.  i was thinking of having a rub down, and was actually imagining the relaxed, calm, tranquil state i would be in, after an hour of swedish pampering!  bwahahaha!

but there are just things worth giving up for, and things worth proclaiming.

i always want to get the first seat on the bus, this gives me a perfect view of the blur of trees, as we speed by, also an ample supply of fresh air (and rain), i.e., if the bus conductor is mindful enough not to get his high from some rolled leaves.

this particular ride home, as usual, i was the first one on the bus queue, so i got to have the first seat.  while the bus fills up, and the last few passengers who are willing to ride standing, are getting on,  i saw a woman with a new born baby cradled on one arm, and a bagful of stuff carried by the other, crying her eyes out, talking with the bus driver and conductor.  i could not make out what they were talking about, but my heart was beginning to get pinched by the sight of it.  even the toughie who is the dispatcher, looked soft as he listened to the exchange.  soon after, the guy in the bus uniform, got in the bus and asked a young lady to give up the nearest seat for the woman with child.  i learned that they are giving them a free ride to iriga, the last stop.  seated, the woman with child could not stop crying, her tears were really making me teary as well.  from what i could gather from the intermittent flow of conversation she was having with the bus personnel, i got to know that she lost her last 500 pesos to a pickpocket, which to her was her "budget" so she could reach home with her new-born baby.  and as she was saying all these, she was looking gently, affectionately, tenderly at her baby who was still red and pink, wrapped in a white infant clothing, her tears almost drenching the sleeping child.

the scene was too much for me.

i made ready my fare and as i did, i noticed my own "budget" for the massage i was looking forward to have when i reach home.  i had even texted my masseuse already, to be at my place by the time i reach home, and give me my much awaited weekend self-pampering.

in that moment, i know, i just know, i am being presented with a choice and being offered a rare chance to be.  

all the way home, i would take a glimpse of the woman and i could not help myself feeling for her.  she could not keep her tears from falling, but could not take her eyes off her little bundle of joy, too.  the bus driver would engage her in a conversation once in a while and i heard him tell her to stop crying, it will only make her feel sick, bless him.  the other guy asked her if somebody will pick her up in iriga and she said none.

i was so lost in my thougths of her, her child, what she would do when they reach iriga, to get to buhi where home is, i did not notice, i was almost home.  i asked the driver to make a stop by my villa's gate, gathered my purse and got ready to get off the bus.  i stood up and touched her hand, held and squeezed it and gave her my little gift.  she squeezed back and said, thank you so much.  i did not have to look at her, i know what i would see.  and i better watch my step getting off the bus.  bwahahaha!

thank you!  for the opportunity to do good, the wisdom to know it and the courage to make the choice.  ilysm!  i know you know it!  ♥ ♥ ♥