I went to the ATM machine wishing that it hasn't ran out of money. I waited for sometime while I am imagining the cheesy pizza in the nearby building-the four kinds of cheese melting on a thin crust soft dough served hot. Then the machine expelled my card, realizing that it needed to be reactivated to make any transaction. The thought of melting cheese pizza faded and I could almost forgot the talk I listened earlier about keeping your joy. I wished I was careful with my wish earlier-that the machine has an ample amount of money, and my card is well-functioning. One of life's jokes sometimes.
I roughly had a 3-hour slumber and fixed myself and went to the bank. Thank God Ate Tin accompanied me. While waiting for my card to be validated, we had a good chat about chances in life, work, undeserved blessings, how to keep a positive and vibrant disposition on tough times, and the thought of having a pizza nonetheless. And because the ATM machine has an ample stock of money and my card is now ready to be bruised again, we went on fine dining. It's almost 3 o'clock in the afternoon and my tummy is on a protest having had nothing since I came home from duty. She said her order and got mine too. I love how the afternoon sunshine brighten our little space, the comfy couch and the melodious silence.
Our orders arrived, and we can't help our eyes. That's the beauty of having no one to see you pigging out. Or at least one trusted friend. I held the plate of Lasagna, ran the knife half on it and was bragging how it was served smoky hot. I put some on my plate. I noticed though that there was something unusual that caught my eyes. I don't think it was toasted garlic since garlic don't have errr, legs. Trying to magnify my chinita eyes, I know for sure that it was a kitchen's baby "monster". Maybe on its neonate stage, no wings developed yet. At least not full-grown adult, thank goodness! I called the waiter, saying with all humility that I wanted another serving of Lasagna. I showed to him why and he was so sorry. We didn't mind the incident, keeping the smiles on our face and inhaled and exhaled with enthusiasm that it didn't landed our taste buds. Minutes passed, the manager went on our table and was so sorry for what we "found" on the meal. I said that it was all alright, smiling without any taste of bitterness. That's what keeping joy all about =) Just replace the old one and we'll be fine, I told him. In a shameful tone, he said " I will not only replace your meal. I will make it double..for free".
In life, we will have our "cockroach" days. Perhaps, a loss in whatever form. Perhaps, a non-cooperative and hard to deal co-worker, a delayed in promotion, a missed opportunity, a difficult boss, a broken relationship, a betrayal from a friend, an unanswered prayer. My friend, life will hit you bottom rock once in a while. But God is saying: "keep being kind, do what is good, maintain composure and compassion, be sober, keep calm, be still, be more patient and giving, continue to love, keep going with your faith. At the end of all this, I will replace your sufferings with my profound blessings. I will turn your scars into stars. I will not only replace your pains, I'll double your joy. All for free!"
Thank you God for my cockroach day! You ultimately are a giver. I give my life to You. Double my joy and let me love for free!
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