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Sunday, June 11, 2006
Luab: Do we wait until it is too late?
By Evelyn R. Luab
Light Sunday
So much has been said about hunger, sickness, poverty and senseless deaths. Rarely are there write-ups on generosity, kindness and compassion, unless we see pictures of donors handing out checks, and the event recorded for posterity.
May I share an incident, which reminded me of William Faulkner’s statement? “We alone among creatures have a soul, a spirit capable of compassion, sacrifice and endurance.”
I had to visit Ward 9 of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) recently. I did not know the family name of the person I was looking for.
One only has to visit charity wards to understand what the rest of the world is suffering outside our comfort zones.
The ward was filled to overflowing. Patients were even placed outside the ward in the lobbies already.
I had to go from bed to bed, searching for the face of Marie (not her real name). Because I had to search thoroughly, it took me a long time to find Marie. In the process, I noticed several things.
Relatives and friends were crowding the ward, too. However, they were sharing food, water and even medicines with other patients. As I made my second round (because I didn’t see Marie in the first search), one of the persons there led me to the lobby outside Ward 9. I found Marie with about four people around her. I lingered long enough to be told of the generosity of our neighbors in our block.
Charity wards are indeed a big, big help to the poor; however, in sickness, this is not enough. Especially in Marie’s case, not only was she suffering from double pneumonia, she needed an endoscopy to find out why her tummy had grown big. She needed an antibiotic, injectable for 14 days. She needed blood transfusions before her endoscopy could be done. Because their meager earnings could not bear the brunt of the needed expenses, Marie’s family went from relative to relative. When their resources got depleted, they went from neighbor to neighbor in our block on M. Roa street. I was told that the Franciscan nuns and St. Theresa’s College’s Centro sa Katilingban helped.
A social worker at VSMMC hospital helped and many friends came across with a few pesos here and there. So far, Marie’s family has spent (with the help of friends and neighbors) about P20,000 already. Praise God, Marie is so much better today in spite of the acute ulcer, which the endoscopy showed. All the money came from people who silently helped (including a very kind Muslim vendor who contributed part of her earnings).
Friends of Marie’s husband donated blood. Some, who offered to donate blood, were turned down for one reason or another but this did not negate their offer of help.
This case of Marie, I believe, is not an isolated one. However, this sharing today is my reminder of the fact that man can still find his rightful place in our tiny world of callousness.
In one of our bible sessions, Sister Sonia Arao posed this question to us. She said and I quote, “In our present situation here in the Philippines, where is man in all these critical situations we find ourselves in?”
The question was very difficult to answer because it definitely is not easy for man to think less of himself and devote his time, energy and money for someone else. However, unless we change our lifestyle, people like Marie will die while we are vacationing in Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, etc.
No amount of rationalization will excuse us from taking care of each other.
I’m sure many of us can truthfully say, “I earned my comforts today through the sweat of my brow!” No one can accuse me of getting through to where I am by simply sitting on my behind. Sending five kids to school was just as tough then as it is today so please—leave me in my comfort zone. I’ve earned my peace!” Famous last words? Familiar?
Jesus did say, “Love thy neighbor” and placed no ifs and buts about His command. He did not say, “I’ve preached God’s word for many years, cured so many people and performed astonishing miracles. I believe I can forgo my crucifixion.” Where would we be then?
We, in these present times, are expected to give and give until it hurts. We are expected to change our lifestyles and to refrain from splurging on luxuries, if we want others to live. We cannot isolate ourselves from the pain, which surrounds us.
The groanings are getting louder. Do we wait until it is too late?
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 11, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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