Friday, May 09, 2008 Kindness By Rene Lizada Papa's table
"The older you get the more you realize that kindness is synonymous with happiness." -- Lionel Barrymore
I WAS in Manila last week to visit Migoy. I was in Tagaytay during the weekend to give a talk at a national convention. And it is a testimony to my friends that in the five days that I was there, I never rode a taxi. (I hate riding taxis in Manila because drivers give you the runaround!)
Two days before going to Manila I texted a friend saying that I was going to Manila and she readily offered to pick me up. And so she did. I was with Gabo on this trip and when we arrived in Manila, Miguel was outside waiting for us with the driver of our friend.
Not only did this friend of ours pick us up, but also we practically spent the whole day with them. We had merienda and dinner with them. The following day they picked us up for dinner. Again. And when I left for Tagaytay, they treated Gabo and Migoy to dinner (again) and a movie.
Tagaytay was the same thing. A friend who was attending the same convention picked me up and off we went. Even the trip home was no problem because another friend offered her ride.
When we arrived in Tagaytay we were billeted at the Taal Vista and I was looking forward to a night of sound sleep courtesy of the very comfortable rooms. But that was not to be. My roommate by his own admission confessed to me that he slept loud. (He snored in short.)
So what happened to me? At two in the morning I was staring at the ceiling, wondering how in God's name could I fall asleep. I had to sleep because my talk was the following day. So I decided to step out of the room and I headed for the front desk. I asked them if I could sleep in one of the sofas. The person agreed and I just fell asleep.
The following day I shared this story to friends and one of them told me that she had a spare room in her condo. She said that if I wanted it, I could have it. Of course I said yes. And I slept really well that night.
When the convention was about to end we were informed that the Sta. Rosa exit to the SLEX was jammed because of a fiesta and we had to take a longer way home via the Carmona exit. That got me worried because Gabo and I had a plane to catch at six that evening. (He would be coming from Quezon City and we decided to meet at the Centennial Airport.)
I looked at my watch and it was almost one. Okay lang kung Davao ito because everything is near. I was thinking if we had to leave, it had to be now. We left past one and I was quite relieved. But the way was rather long and there was traffic along the way. The traffic was somewhere in Silang, Cavite. So we inched our way and I kept looking at my watch.
We finally got out of Cavite past two. We hit the SLEX and from there it was a quiet ride to the Centennial airport. Migoy called me and he said that they were near the airport. I finally arrived at about three fifteen, with much time to spare. I thanked my friend who went out of her way.
I texted Gabo and asked where he was and he said that he had checked in already. I would have wanted to see Migoy but you know Manila. I checked in and looked for Gabo. Our flight was delayed by about twenty-five minutes so we really had so much time. I talked with Gabo about what they did when I was in Tagaytay.
I had my phone in silent mode so I did not hear a friend calling me. I texted her asking why she called. She replied by asking where I was. I said, airport na. And she said, Good, We were quite worried about you because of the traffic. See you in Davao."
I smiled. I have such good friends. I am very lucky that I have great friends. I am blessed with so many wonderful friends who have been there for me. And who will be there for me. My friends come in different shapes, forms, interests and what else.
I have friends who have been with me since high school. There are those who are Toastmasters, classmates, co-workers, co-teachers and yes students. I am lucky because these people are just there. They are not judgemental or condescending. They just watch me, Sometimes they tell me what I should do after I ask them. They never intrude or act like they know everything. They are like poems and songs. They give you the wisdom when needed and asked. And I thank them.
So thank you, Ed and Irene. Thank You Nem and Luz. Thank You Vicky and Gie. And thank you Pol. And by the way when I got home, right in my table was a plastic bag of banaderas, Bacolod cookies that I love. Thank You Nandie.
