I thought I was going to stop writing for the time being after the article before this one, but it looks like God intended otherwise. So here goes the story, and I’ll share it quick: it looks like God has already assigned me my first task for the Bible verse I shared in this article. And it was a missed opportunity. Sorry, Lord. I’ll try better next time. 😀
Yesterday, I went to Sorsogon City to have my FPE (first patient encounter) at SMMGH since I have chosen it as my YAKAP provider. Why SMMGH? I am already familiar with the place since we stayed there for almost 2 months in 2023 during Mom’s confinement. I always get lost inside hospitals. lol
I was planning on having my first consultation at the OPD, as I was targeting to avail of their breast screening services (breast ultrasound and mammogram), but I was informed that they are still waiting for the mammography machine to arrive.
I thought I’d just wait for it to arrive before I have my first consultation. Or I can have the breast ultrasound first because SMMGH is my YAKAP provider until December this year only.
It was around 8am when I left Bulan on board the Bulan Trans Co. shuttle. The bus conductor was a jolly, old fellow who approached me while we were en route to Sorsogon City, asking to exchange a 20-peso coin for 1 peso or 5 peso coins. He was already short of change, and I was more than glad to exchange the coins in my purse, as they are also heavy.
After a couple of minutes, he approached me again. This time, he handed a 500-peso bill, and when I looked at it, I knew what he meant. I smiled my widest and nodded, declining his request. And we both burst out in laughter. He knew that I was not going to exchange my smaller bills because, well, “barya lang sa umaga.” 😀
We arrived in Sorsogon City around 10am, and I was planning on grabbing a bite at SM City Sorsogon. Only to realize that SM adjusted its store hours to open at 11am pala. lol I was also planning to freshen up there. So I have decided to go straight to SMMGH instead via the tricycle and just have my brunch at a small cafeteria in front of the hospital, still looking “unfresh” from my 2-hour trip.
After I ordered my food, I chose a table and sat with my back towards the entrance so I wouldn’t get to see the passersby. Then a woman sat at the next table across from me. When she entered, she already sort of half addressed me, telling me she was going to get water from the water dispenser. I quickly noticed her expression, though she tried to smile: lost and bewildered.
I smiled back at her, albeit awkwardly, because I really don’t converse with strangers. Then I resumed eating, and I can see from my peripheral vision that she is somehow not relaxed. So I looked at her, and I saw that she’s also looking at me as if she wanted to say something, but was just hesitating. Then she just started sharing about how her son (if I got it right, because she was speaking fast) was bitten by a dog and has had a fever for 2 days already.
They came here at SMMGH to get an anti-rabies vaccination and an anti-tetanus shot, but she doesn’t know how much they are going to pay. So to make her feel relaxed, I’ve been asking her questions, like the age of the boy (grade 5). Then there was a pause in our convo, and I felt like I wanted to ask her if she’s eaten already. But I don’t know how to ask that question out of the blue because it seems off-topic.
I waited, and she started talking again and said that they are waiting for Doctor Hermo to check the kid, and she hasn’t eaten yet. Ah, yes, and there was my cue. I immediately took my wallet and gave her a 100-peso bill. I told her, “Ate, bili mo ‘yan ng pagkain mo ha.” She thanked me right away, and I asked her where they came from. She said they’re from Bacon, and I also told her I’m from Bulan.
Then she stood up and thanked me again multiple times while bowing. I almost laughed and just told her, “Okay lang ‘yan, Ate. No problem. God bless you po.”
Why did I give her money? What if she were just a con artist or a beggar? It doesn’t matter – the need was there.
I know that look. Three years ago, I was also seated at the same table where she sat, having the same lost and bewildered look, almost close to breaking down, and contemplating what would happen to my Mom. I was in that exact table, processing everything that my family and I were going through.
Questions like, will she survive her stage 4 breast cancer? How long are we staying in the hospital? How long will I see her with so many contraptions attached to her? Will we be able to keep up with the running bill at the hospital? And a whole lot more of anxieties and worries.
For someone like me who is extra sensitive to other people’s energy and vibe, I can sense right away without them telling me what they are thinking or feeling. And maybe this is the reason why I often encounter strangers who would just vent out their problems to me, and at first, I thought it was a bit awkward. But when it happened a lot of times, I realized that it was no longer a coincidence.
Then it dawned on me, I missed the opportunity. I should’ve PRAYED for her even if it’s just a short prayer. And it came clearer what the right response should be when people approach and share their problems: listen, pray together, ask God for solutions, and then go find those solutions.
At that time, I was in a hurry, though, because I didn’t know how long the FPE takes, and I was also going to the PhilHealth Sorsogon branch afterwards to inquire about contributions since I had missed payments (when I transitioned to a freelancer).
Yes, when I am on an errand, I tend to be “Flash” woman, accomplishing everything in as little time as possible. lol Let’s just say I am always deliberate and systematic in how I do things, and I am very intentional with how I use my time. So, no dillydallying. 😀 I also thought I’d process all of these now while I am not yet physically weak.
Going back to her, I know that is not a reason enough to let her go without praying for her. I should’ve asked her to sit beside me so I could pray for her and maybe give her a hug, too. I felt that her need was genuine; she was desperately looking for help, even if it was just for her food.
My heart bleeds for moments like this. 100 pesos is not much. It’s like the story of 5 barley loaves and fishes in the Bible. I was thinking what food she can buy with it, with all the inflation and skyrocketing prices of everything. And yet, I prayed to God that, though the monetary value of that money might be small, may its impact on her be big enough to sustain her and her boy – faith, hope, courage, and strength.
I believe my first task has already started. I know, I will be meeting more people like her. I know I will be praying for more like her in this setting, even as I myself will be in dire need of prayers. Because the comfort God gave me when I was in a situation like theirs is the same comfort that God has tasked me to share with them. ❤
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
P.S. Naisip ko na hindi kaya dahil din sa akala niya ay Med Rep ako? lol Check out the photo below for reference. I only had 3 seconds to take this photo before I caused traffic in the comfort room. Sareeee. 😀
P.P.S. I thank God for the trusted and reliable workers whenever we have projects at home or on the farm. We wouldn’t be able to achieve each one of these projects if it weren’t for them. And I’d like to thank Tio Bindoy, a highly skilled mason who’s worked with the family for generations already, for bringing in these farm harvests galing din sa bukid ng kamag-anak nila.
Noong nakaraang buwan naman, isda galing sa huli ni Tio Pono, isa rin sa mga katiwala namin sa bukid whose other source of livelihood is fishing kapag wala nang masyadong gawain sa bukid. We insisted on paying for them pero ayaw nila tanggapin. Minsan, kung sino pa ang tinutulungan namin, sila pa ang mas generous, giving us anything that they could give sa mga tanim-tanim nila. Nothing is more humbling of an experience than this. I pray i-bless din sila ng Panginoon a millionfold sa generosity nila. ❤
The Journeyman's Moments 