random realization on a sunday

10:15 100321

I woke up Saturday morning with the excitement of going home and having a chance to play with my niece. It has been two weeks since I last visited home and though it is just a short period of time, it is something that I always look forward to. Though, we don't have plans on what we should do to make our time together fun and worthwhile still it is a joy for me when I got the chance to tease her all day until she cries.

I thought we would just be lying in the bed with our phones. My niece is addicted to watching youtube videos and playing games. At three, she has multiple of videos and games downloaded on my brother's phone. All those she did by herself. I know it is not something to be proud of. Too much screen time is not good for her, her appetite is even affected.

This has been the main problem at home. My niece spends much of her time on screen and barely eats or even drinks milk. My father constantly prohibits her from using a phone but when he is away, when my brother is doing his module using his phone, my niece grabs it and it will be hard for my brother to take it back. She would throw tantrums whenever my brother gets it back.

With the pandemic still going on, there is nothing much for entertainment for my niece. Before, I used to take her out riding on her bike but now, going out in the neighborhood is prohibited. She is provided with crayons and drawing book for her to work on but she grew bored overtime. She doesn't like playing with her toys too. So, she resort on watching TV, watching videos on Shareit and Youtube and play mobile games everyday after taking a nap.

Yesterday also , I had the chance to visit a couple who holds a special place in my heart. I never thought that I would see them again considering the present situation. My mother's grandmother is so dear to us. We call her "Ina". Because of her age and eyesight, it would be hard for them to go to the church anymore.

Ina's son went home yesterday and told us that we should go with him to see Ina. We thought that there is something wrong with them because of the sense of urgency that we felt upon his son's request but after answering few questions we learned that everything is fine and it is just Ina's birthday. Too bad. My mother forgot her dear godmother's birthday.

Upon our arrival at Ina's new home, we learned that her husband is not totally fine. He is weak and would spend his time lying or sitting on the couch with a tank of oxygen by his side. We also learned that a week ago he was rushed to the hospital. Weeks before he has been complaining and asking to go to the hospital but their children were doubtful of the idea because of the current situation. They were afraid that he would be tagged as Covid patient. Thankfully, the swab test result was negative and they were able to give Ina's husband proper care and medication. The major cause of his difficulty of breathing was because of asthma. Until now, he can't walk away for a long period of time. Thankfully, he can walk his way to the restroom and return just in time to be connected with the oxygen tank.

This reminds me of a random facebook posts which you might have also seen. It was about an old man who was rushed to the hospital. After the medication and when the old man was fine and handed with the hospital bills, he cried. His son asked him the reason why he cried. His son assured him that if he is crying because of the great amount of the hospital bill, he doesn't have to worry because his son got him.

But the old man answered it is not the hospital bill that made him cry. It is because of the goodness of God. He further explained the reasons:

He paid a large amount of money just using the oxygen tank for a limited time. He might have paid 40 pesos per hour for air from the oxygen tank. He learned that God is great by blessing us with free air.

What if air would be like water and electricity?

What if God would collect fees from the air we breath since the day one? We would all be broke just paying those.

What if God scheduled the time the air would be breathable?

What if today the air would only be available in Luzon and Visayas not Mindanao? Would that mean breathing would be put on hold for the people there? Or would people have to travel to Luzon and Visayas just to grasp for air? Imagine the scenario and the inconvenience. Life will be different.

This is a random realization. We have a lot on ou plate everyday-dreams,work and ambition. Sometimes, we tend go neglect and take for granted the gifts God has freely given us.

So, when you are feeling low and not yourself, when you feel you are far from being favored and love, just think of the general gifts that you are still enjoying now.

This is what I'm grateful today. The free air and the tap I need to remember how God has been good to all of us.

Thank you so much everyone! To my sponsors, upvoters, to the people who spent time to read and comment, you made my soul happy! Thank you heaps!