Serendipity

by Lizette Reyes

One gloomy afternoon, after Sunday mass, people were compact and feverish. I saw different kind of people; solemnly and deliberate. The church was filled with pleasant earthy smell of sampaguita which made me feel nervous, my heart palpitates, making my palms sweat. All of a sudden, I felt sad and my tears fell down. I remembered the time when my mom and I always go to church every Sunday, it was one of the most memorable time my mom and I shared.

I am Harry, not an ordinary boy. I had this hydrocephalus disease. Everyone was looking at me like I am a monster. My mom always protects me and never makes me feel bad for my condition. She told me that I should be always thankful for I am still alive, seeing beautiful creatures of God. Even though sometimes, there comes the times that life was so hard for us, she always do her best in order for me to buy my medicines and provide all the things that I need. She was the best mom for me! I am lucky to have her! But I can not be with her for the rest of my life.

 Every time I heard the bell ring, my whole world suddenly stops. Everything were in flashback. I missed my mom! I was 5 when she left me. Right after the mass, she held my hand so I won’t be lost. Upon walking on the aisle, she stumbled down. I shouted for help. “ Please! My mom! Help us! Everybody was shocked and panicked. My mom was sent to the hospital but she did not make it. I found out that she was struggling too; she was diagnosed with cancer disease for a long time ago. She never told me that she was sick. I thought that it would be the end of my life too. It is so hard to accept that she was gone and I was left behind. I decided to stay at the church because for me that place was only thing that will keeps on reminding me my mom.

And I saw this guy, taking pictures. He came to me and asked what is my name.

“ Hey, little boy! What is your name? ”

“ By the way I am Jack, I’m used to be here taking pictures of everything that catches my attention and I am sorry for I took a picture of you.”

“ Why are you always here? ”

“ Where is your mom? “

“ Did you eat your lunch? ” Jack asked Harry.

“ I am Harry, I am alone. I have no home. I just went here for some reasons. My mom died due to cancer. “

“ She left me. ( with tears in his eyes, ) “

“ How about you? “

Jack answered, “ I am sorry for the lost of your mom.”

“ I used to be a photographer, a frustrated one actually. “

“ I am always rejected by many, and that was my biggest frustration in my life.”

“ And now I don’t want to pursue my dreams because I think I am a failure.”

“By the way, I came here to give these pictures of yours and your mom.”

“ Oh! My mom!” Harry whimpered.

“ How come you have our pictures? “

“ When did you take these? “

Jack answered, “ I took those pictures a year ago, and I came here because I want you to have these.”

“ I saw these on my collections and I knew that it was you. “

“ But it is sad to know that your mom passed away. “

Harry suddenly cried because he saw again his mom through those pictures, but his grief was turn into happiness because he knew that his mom will feel no pain in heaven, that she was with our God.

“ Thank you, Jack! said Harry.

“ I really appreciate you and your kindness.”

“ It really breaks my heart for I cannot be with my mom again.”

“ But I must say that you should continue your dreams. Strive harder!”

“ While you still have the time, the capabilities, continue to aim high!”

“ Unlike me, I just have limited time to live in this world. “

“ I am sick and I cannot do the things that I want to.”

“ Go for your dreams, don’t give up!”

“ Always believe in yourself! “

Jack realized that Harry was right, it was an eye-opening for him. Many people were giving up on their dreams just because of the rejection of others. Lucky those people who can do what they want without any limitations unlike those who were counting how many days they can still live. Despite of Harry’s condition, he still wants to share the positiveness in him. He wants to inspire everyone, especially Jack.

“ Harry, I want to help you.”

“ I want to give back what you’ve done to me, you enlighten me.”

“ If you will trust me, I can ask for help to those people who are concerned in your health condition.”

“ Come with me, live to my house. Let me take care of you. “

“ From now on, I can be your brother.”

“ That is too much, Jack.” said Harry.

“ I can still take care of myself. I won’t let others to suffer because of my condition.

“No Harry, let’s go home. I know the feeling of being alone and I can’t afford that you will be alone again.”

Harry agreed on Jack’s offering and they went home together. They become family and after a year, Harry also passed away and Jack continue his dreams, he won a noble prize because of the picture of Harry and his mom. Jack dedicated his award to Harry. He owe everything to him.

 

Lesson of the story, helping others is not based on the material things that you’ve given to them, sometimes, to inspire them despite of your struggling is also a way of showing love and care to someone. You’re helping them to reach their dreams on being a positive one. And the other one is on pursuing our dreams, it is not necessarily to mind others just to prove them that we are great. Just strive harder, focus on what you want and don’t forget that there is our God, be thankful for everything.