Thursday, December 20, 2007

yuletide corner

It's past one in the morning and I had to get to the office fast. I sped up my pace to keep up with the distance that my little steps are running. I was not feeling so well. The chill of Christmas gives me a floating feeling as I trudge through the busy Jaro Plaza.

When I was working in Manila, I had a hard time going to work. I live in the south and go to work in the north. It takes me three hours of travel to and from work. Taking a car would mean parking fee, driver's food and compensation and gas. If I would take the bus and get off at Farmer's Center, I would have to walk all the way to SM Cubao, where I would again, take a cab or a jeepney bound to Libis - and there I go, Eastwood City!!!

Christmas of 2004 was one of those unfortunate times that I had to go to work. Having only been regularized, I had no choice in my schedules. I had to work at 3am at Christmas and for the first time in 25 years, I was away from my family and my hometown. I felt like I was breaking down. (If not for the holiday double pay and the bi-monthly bonus, I would not oblige of course.)

Taking my usual route from the Farmer's Center, I was soaked in my own pain. My steps were heavy and I was dragging myself with the monetary value of my work attendance as a mantra. I was halfway the cab terminal when I heard a littl girl's laughter. She was laughing so sweet. I looked closer in the Fiesta Carnival area. I saw where the laughter was coming from. A family of four taking the opportunity to enjoy the carnival rides for free - minus the lights and the mobility. Seeing them that way, I hurried my pace and got a cab. When I got to work, I called my own parents and gave them my warmest Christmas greetings.

Perhaps, there are times when people doesn't have to be together. And sometimes, we have to sacrifice our need for togetherness to be able to get the best things in life. We can't have it all, I guess. At least we have to thankful for what we have.

We have all the reasons to be merry this season.
Merry Christmas!