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When we were graduating in college, we had to go on a retreat (I have shared this story a dozen times but I want to share again). During the last day of the retreat there was this activity where the nun, who facilitated the activity, laid down pictures on the floor and told us to pick one photo among the dozens and go back to our seats. Since I was sitting at the back I was one of those people who had to pick last.
When it was my turn I looked at all the pictures and was a bit overwhelmed. What is this activity for? Is this a kind of test? If I pick that photo of an old lady and her grand daughter (probably) what will that say about me?
There were pictures of kids, families, old people, solo and group pictures. After much thought, I decided on the picture of crowd of people taken from a bird’s eye view. I was drawn to the picture and so I shrugged and picked it off the floor.
I went back to the seat and waited for the next instruction. When everyone had their turn, the facilitator told us to look at the picture we have in our hands. To look closely at the photo for they will be the people we will be helping in our lifetime. I was looking at photo of a crowd of people looking up at me.
Or maybe she said that we will be the “angels” for these people that we have chosen. I glanced at the photos that my classmates have on their hands: they were mostly of a group of two or threes. I thought, oh my! why the heck did I choose this photo among the ones on the floor? Will I run for office to be able to make a difference? Join volunteer groups (Is there money in that, I thought. What will my mother think?)? Will I need to be a millionaire? Or billionaire?
I don’t know if my classmates still remember that retreat but I do. That’s saying a lot coz I have the memory of Dory.
Every now and then I remembered. But for a long time it became just that, a memory.
Days passed by and I still haven’t ran for office (as if), didn’t join any volunteer groups (I thought about it a lot though, I hope that counts, I thought) and most of all I’m not yet a millionaire. How in heck will I fulfill my destiny? Not that I thought about it a lot. More of a few seconds at a time. I admit, I am not the most selfless individual of the world.
Then one or two years ago my friend Miera, a classmate from nursing school, texted me. She just started working as a school nurse at her hometown (I thought the school nurse is someone who just stays at the clinic and waits for those people who faints or has fever) and she shared to me her experiences.
Miera as a school nurse doesn’t stay at one school as I thought but instead goes from school to school in her district. At that time she was the only nurse so she had to go to many schools most of them in remote locations.
She told me that one school are in dire need of help. She then point blank asked me for help. I don’t know why she asked me of all people but that’s what she did.
As a lowly employed nurse at a private hospital I couldn’t think of a thing on how to help. Miera knows that my hobby is photography so she suggested I visit her place and take pictures so we can post them on the Internet. Maybe through the pictures someone will be moved and help.
Then a few months passed, years too, probably.
One day, I met someone at a virtual game called smallworlds (She won’t like me disclosing who she is, so I won’t). Anyway, we got to be tight friends. One day we were talking about real life and she told me that her family sends packages to the Philippines to give to the remote villages/schools in Misamis Oriental. The conversation eventually led to what I promised Miera before.
I guess prayers does work. I prayed for someone who has altruistic motivation and I met this friend- at a virtual game of all places. I prayed that I can help Miera, and last Monday I had that chance. Through my friend (Share the blessings), and through Miera and the Teachers in charge of the schools at Del Monte, Talacogon we have started the ball rolling.
It started with that retreat activity years before and started again with the giving of used clothings, shoes and chocolates at Talacogon, Agusan del Norte. Giving is apparently not a one time deal. And I feel thankful that in my own little way I can help.
It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can. ~Sydney Smith
