..feeding the hungry heart..

When I am still poor (and still am today, but just a little level up), I always wish that I will win in the lottery. I remember having sorted my long-term goals and short-term goals, and this happened when insanity hasn't caused much damage on my brain cells. One of those listed in that coffee-stained card, I bravely tried to make into reality..somehow. Money was a problem then in order to fulfill that goal, and in addition, I am not into lottery thing. Using the normal brain cells left unharmed, I got an idea from my sister who used to sell cellphone loads. In short, I was an heir of that business (a premonition of a future business venture). With the small amount I have in hand, off I went to see Love.

It was a humid afternoon, and the playground is full of kids. Yes, kids who haven't seen lately the bathroom. I arrived in the place unloading the bags of bread and packs of juice. I acted like I am waiting for someone since I do not want to catch attention from people having their picnics (and I want it secret..as much as possible). I called one kid at a time, asking his name while he is trying to fix his hair. I held out the food on his hand, and in minutes later, he is nowhere to be found. Not until I realized that he was now with a friend, and a friend of his friend, and the friends of his friend's friend..Before I knew it, we're having a children's party amidst the afternoon's heat. They sat down on the grass in groups, not talking of any sort, and I had the best time of my life to thank God that He created bread and juice. One kid approached me with that dried line thing on his nose (imagine it wet)  saying  *"Manang, pwede isa pa?". I reached out in the plastic bag, sadness filled my heart as the supply is nearing empty. It is one of those moments I wished that I am Manny Pacquiao's wife. 

It's holiday once again, and while I'm having my laundry this afternoon, I remember the kids.  They may not know my name, not even remember my face on those two encounters with them, and I too may have forgotten their names. But their eyes, their smiles, the joy I have felt when I touched those hands are so precious to me I can vividly recall them on my mind. I may have fed their aching stomach for a moment, but they fed a certain part of my heart that resonates up to this day. That part that humbles me, that part that detach me from wanting materials things in life, that part that makes me strive more not only to feed aching stomach, but to feed a hungry heart. A heart that hungers for LOVE. I may have gone home that afternoon with nothing on my pocket, but my heart cannot contain the treasure I found in giving. It hides all the joy I cannot find with all of my accomplishments. 

P.S.

I was a bit hesitant to share this story since I want to nurture my other private life. Not even my sister or my family is aware of some of my dwellings. I just would like to convey to anyone out there who might be reading this article that outside of your world, there are just so many reasons why we should LIVE. There are so many people out there who are in dire need, not only for tangible things we can offer, but our presence, our kindness, our time. Sometimes, we are too pre-occupied on how to grow our career, our business, our personal relationships that we lose track of the core essence of living. At the end of the day, who do we live for? What do we live for?

 Feed a hungry heart. You'll get sated in return=)


*Manang is a term used to address an older female.
*Can I have another one?