A Young Reader Of Misyon Shares With Us A Simple Yet Profound Reflection After Reading And Being Inspired By Our Magazine.

By Sabrina Gloria

Dear Father Seán,

Reading Misyon I’m touched by some of the articles. Because of this I would like to share my insights about a simple gesture which has left a special dent in my heart. I hope you’ll appreciate it.

Every time I travel, like most people, I tend to stare out the window and check out the streets, the other cars, the buildings, the houses and the people. I watch as men and women, the old and the young, go about their business. What really catches my attention are the rugged street children who scurry about almost without care, either playing their lively games or asking for alms. Silently, I ponder on what goes in their heads. Are they thinking about the next game they’re going to play or the next bit of food they could cram into their stomachs in the future? Are they thinking about what goes on in other places or imagining the most impossible and colorful things as I imagined as a child? Do they really think about ‘important’ things like what they would be in the future or how they would help society and not get utterly lost in the gloomy and dark haze of the streets?

Not long ago, I caught a glimpse of two street children happily sharing a piece of bread and a glass of juice. That time, I fondly remembered one of my outreach trips to Pandacan with my schoolmates. We were greeted by smiling faces and some warm hugs from the children. It was their book parade that day and there was a very obvious air of excitement. I took care of two boys who were about seven-years-old. Being as they were, both were vigorous and full of adrenalin. Truthfully, I felt dizzy for a while as I tried to keep up with both as they raced each other and got themselves in to small fights with the other kids. Although I had to repeatedly mend and fix the costumes of those whose ornaments were torn or stripped away by my kids, I really had fun.

After the parade, I got burgers and drinks for my boys which both finished with gusto. There were extra burgers on the food table which I took to them in case they were still hungry. Each got two extra burgers. I waited for them to eat and when they contentedly placed their burgers on their laps without any intention of eating, I asked them what they were saving the burgers for. I was curious because they had this knowing and distant smile on their faces. One whom I affectionately called ‘Daga’ because of his costume was the first to speak. ‘Para po kasi ito sa nanay at kapatid ko. Gusto ko po kasi mabigyan sila ng pasalubong.’ This was his proud reply. The other had the same intention. I was touched. Were these the same children who bullied the tallest of their group just because they wanted to? I never knew these mischievous boys could have such love and devotion for their family as shown by their thoughtfulness. That time I realized that these children do not think only about their own desires or what interests them at the moment. They knew something that some of us only learn during our early teens. They knew how to care by thinking of others and of the happiness of the people close to them: a simple gesture which may seem simple but is magnanimous in its own way.

As I kissed them goodbye, I felt a surge of pride. I knew that even in their condition and environment, they had direction and virtue. That day, I had been a witness to something I hold to be immense in its effortless way.

Sincerely yours,

Sabrina Gloria,
St Scholastica's College, Manila