The Man with the Iron Will

Who me? Nah, that’s who I want to be, but not necessarily so at the moment.  Sheeesh, my babies could con me for a cheeseburger with just a puppy- dog-eyed look.  Nope right now I’m still very much a sucker.

There’s just really something about kids that tug me at the heartstrings.  A li’l girl selling sampaguita during the night,  the li’l boy asking for alms.  Sigh.  These kids should be playing, studying, resting.  They should be acting like well….kids, not striving to survive. 

I know that these kids are being taken advantaged of by their parents and it doesn’t help to have kids of your own.  All of sudden, you picture your daughter or son doing these same things and people basically ignoring them or turning them away brashly.  Yet another reason why I’m such a sucker. 

Maybe its the empathy or maybe, I’m too gullible towards the needy.  I really don’t know.  I remember when the office was still located in Ortigas Center, and I was on my way home, when this old lady approached me while I was waiting for a ride in Tektite.  She was with (I think) her granddaughter who probably was around six years old that time.  Anyway, she was asking if I had a bit of change to spare since they need to go home to Fairview and the person who they were supposed to get money from, they didn’t get to meet. 

I had only a 20 peso bill in my wallet and was completely broke at that time.  Well, long story short, I ended up walking home cause I couldn’t stand the thought of the two of them being stranded that far from home.  Anyway, I didn’t mind.  My home at best, was around a thirty minute walk.  

While walking though, I was contemplating if I did the right thing.  Sure, it could’ve been an easy con.  And I guess, most of the people who ask for help on the streets are mostly syndicated.  There I was deep in thought and trying to tell myself that I shouldn’t have done that when deep inside, a voice said, “What if it isn’t a con job?” All of sudden, it dawned on me that it didn’t matter if it was made up sob story or that it was a subtle swindle.  All I knew was that if it wasn’t what I initially thought it was, then I did the right thing and my conscience would not let me sleep, knowing that I may have turned my back on a real needy person. 

Such is life. There are a lot of people who will hurt you, swindle you, take advantage of you and make a fool out of you. We can probably look for revenge, get-even, or strike back, but we also have a choice to do the right thing.  Knowing fully well, that our conscience is clear.