Coconuts and hugs...
"Can you help me?" with a loving smile and outstretched hand, said the diminutive woman, her face scared by smallpox and untreated childhood diseases. Who could resist a treasure trove of an unfailing love? So I climbed the coconut tree, against all my thinking and courage because SHE asked me. Years forward, I said good bye to her for what was to be the last time, a tear flowed from her eyes as if to say, you don't have to climb a coconut tree for me anymore but rather you are ready to climb to success out of the ghetto. I always left her feeling better and happier.
Accident, News, unrelenting sorrow...
I'm thinking about how impactful special people are when they come into our lives and remain a part of being for a lifetime and eternity. I have one special person in mind and I still miss her very much and it’s already nearly 30 years since she went home to God.
Mom told me she stayed by my side and prayed for me while I struggled for every breath of air. Drawn by challenges maybe there is an invisible magnet that binds two and can’t be measured by a scaled meter.
The news hit everyone hard, I did too, but my thoughts were that she was now free from pain and sorrow. The family was angered by the drunk driver and his thoughtless act that senselessly took the life of an innocent person. Yet, I forgave the person because grandma told me so. My memory of her continues to burn in me, calms my heart and mind even in the most trying situations.
You see, she never finished elementary school but had the wisdom of ages. Compared to her, I am told the world is full of educated derelicts. Her goodness and works for all in good and troubling times touched many and filled a church for her funeral.
Many trials...and she hadn't left just yet...
On September 11, 2001, in spirit she comforted me...when I learned of a fellow employee was one of 64 passengers on the ill-fated American Airlines Flight 77 that plowed into the Pentagon. Later, in the battle zone she guided me from a dangerous alley where IEDs claimed many, only to bring me to safe haven and friendly soldiers from Hawaii. Another time she spared me but a few weeks sooner from a suicide bomber dressed as a woman. Again, once more today when I learned of Bin Laden’s new al-Qaida video. Call it circumstance but my thankfulness does not ebb and flow with good health and luck.
What really matters...
I don't want to wait---and neither should you---until a tragedy reminds me of what really matters in life. Reduced to bare essentials, life can deliver a tough lesson in love, respect, and dignity. As in the words and timeless philosophy of Mother Teresa, my grandma did not do great things, only small things with great love. Don’t catch yourself feeling what you are doing is just a drop in a large ocean. Remember though that the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. Through grandma's unfailing love, I learned value and direction---everyday is a thanksgiving and celebration of life.
Copyright © Myles Saulibio 2007 All Rights Reserved (7/15/07)
