ONE beautiful day when I was in Grade 2 at the Philippine Women’s College, a classmate and good friend gave me a gift (and it wasn’t even my birthday).
It was a set of five cute erasers in an adorable mini-bag. I remember the gushing feeling of excitement, seeing them and holding each ornate, brightly colored piece in my hand.
I remember how each piece had a different sweet smell which was all new and amazing for me because up to that point, I only knew of erasers smelling like, err, rubber erasers!
These smelled of bubble gum, orange, lemon, cherry and chocolate!! Wow!!! Needless to say, I was playing with my new erasers the whole morning, laying them out one by one on the table, admiring them, smelling them and then putting them back in its cute box. I would pretend to use them, simulating erasing movements on my paper just to get the “feel” of actually using them.
I remember saying to myself that I would someday use them for special occasions, like periodical exams. Haha.
That afternoon, a Grade 5 class visited our class. I think it was somewhat like a big brother/sister thing where they look after us, tell stories, etcetera.
Five girls approached our table. I was playing with my new erasers. One of them approached me and told me how nice they were. Like any proud kid, I showed it to her and told her how much I liked them because not only were they beautiful, they also smelled good.
I let her hold it so she would know what I meant. But then, she started asking me if she could have it. I sheepishly shook my head and said no but she wouldn’t return it to me. She kept trying to convince me to give it to her.
Finally, the bell rang and they were at last leaving our classroom. I went to her to retrieve my erasers. Still she refused to return them. Instead of asking me to give it to her, she asked me if she could borrow them, and quite persistently. So I let her borrow it. That was the last time I saw her and my erasers. Sigh.
This happened thirty-eight years ago but I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Each time I remember it, old wounds seem to open and I feel the pain of being let down by another human being. I guess in this day and age I could call her a bully.
Her face has long faded, but what she did continues to haunt me to this day. It remains to be one of my life's major disappointments with the people I have met. There are things in life that really just make a profound impression on you. I look back to that day and I cannot believe that there are people who can do that to another person. It still makes me sad to this day.
But that is life, my friends. Experiences like this can happen to any of us and it can happen over and over. What is important is that although we may have suffered from it, we should choose to learn and rise above it.
Experiences like this should serve as springboards to becoming a better person, one who is more humane and aware of other people’s feelings.
Sometimes, we go through these things so that we know how it feels.
Hopefully, the experience not only makes us wiser in dealing with people of such kind but also help us treat others better.
The lessons we learn in life should be used to make our lives better. We should also use it as a tool to guide the future generations so that they do not mutate into self-absorbed adults who spend more than half of their waking hours online. The real world is out here, guys. Spend more time here!
I wonder where she is now. I sincerely hope that she grew up to become a better person. For all it’s worth, I believe that she turned me into a good one. If you are reading this and recognize “our” encounter, thank you. That day made an impression on me and continues to remind me to respect other people’s feelings.
We all should realize that we can turn bad experiences into something good. It is up to us to find the silver lining in each dark cloud.
Choose to look at the bright side and be positive! It’s healthier and happier!
Happy Sunday everyone! :)