More lessons from a cab driver

“Sa GMA lang po.” I told the driver as I went inside the cab.

As usual, a dozen thoughts were racing through my head as the we began the 5-minute ride to the office. That’s just how I am when I ride taxi cabs.

The sky looks pretty gloomy, I wonder if it’s gonna rain.

I hope Kernan and Jamaine will have an easy time with each other even without the helper.

Why does my helper have to get sick this time?

Should I take a leave to take care of Jamaine?

I feel guilty leaving her behind every time.

“Akala ko po sa ospital ang punta niyo (I thought you were headed to the hospital), ” the cab driver broke my silent reverie.

I simply smiled. Did I look like I was in any emergency?

“Yun pong sakay ko kanina, palipat - lipat ng hospital. Kawawa naman, walang tumatanggap sa kanila (My previous passenger was hopping from one hospital to another. It was a pity because no hospital was willing to take them in),” he said.

I felt the sincerity in his words, like he was truly concerned about this random passenger.

“Bakit daw po ayaw tanggapin? (Why wouldn’t the hospital accept them?)” I asked. I felt as if he needed to vent some steam.

“Eh mahirap lang kasi sila, walang pambayad. Gusto na nga lang nilang umuwi para dun na lang siya manganak. Eh pumutok na yung panubigan niya, sabi ko dalhin ko na lang sa Labor Hospital. Mabuti naman tinanggap sila (They were poor and they don’t have much money to pay hospital bills. They wanted to go home and just deliver the baby there. But her waterbag already broke so I said I’ll bring her to the Labor Hospital, it’s a good thing the hospital took her in),” he narrated.

“Ang hirap talaga maging mahirap (It’s so hard to be poor),” he added.

I found myself at a loss for words.

The case of hospitals refusing poor patients has long been an issue. Countless discussions, reports and exposes have been done. But it continues to happen and poor people continue to be victims.

Has the world really become such a callous place? Have we become such cold hearted people?

And then I remembered this cab driver wasn’t.

He could have easily milked his passenger for more fare by taking them in circles looking for hospitals. But he had the heart to find them a hospital that actually accepted them.

The cab stopped in front of the network compound’s gate. I took out two crisp bills from my wallet and handed it to the cab driver. I usually just pay the exact fare but this morning, I felt like giving a little more, just a little token for someone who went the extra mile for a complete stranger.

As I was walking through the corridor going to the office, my worries suddenly seemed to fade. Instead, I just felt grateful that Kernan and I have jobs that provide for our family’s needs. We have enough resources to assure us that we can pay for any services we require. We have extra money so that we can afford to pay for all our necessities and to spend for most of our wants.

I guess sometimes I just need a little perspective to remind me of the good things in life and to move me to be thankful for our blessings.

It may not solve my challenges or completely drive all my worries away but it makes life seem more beautiful even just for today.

Are worries bugging you lately? Try to put things in perspective. Be grateful.

Posted in: Reflections

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 10:54 am and is filed under Reflections. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “More lessons from a cab driver”

K April 16th, 2008 at 3:45 am

I am touched by the story and you for actually being so generous. It seems that you have a heart for people and really want to help the less fortunate. I too, also worried with everything, like financially. I wish we were rich so that I don’t need to worry about working so hard and far away from home just to help my family and survive. Sometimes I am guilty when I really can’t be helpful to people until I help myself first. I am somewhat embarrassed to tell someone ‘no’ when they ask for something. And although I feel I really don’t deserve to have a lot of money anyway, so might as well give it away. I guess the first step to developing a healthier giving habit is to first think about why you feel obligated to help all these people.

BTW, kudos to this new template. Beautiful sidebars and the entire overhaul is pleasing to the eye.

K’s last blog post..Literally speaking

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Jayme April 16th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

K: I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to be so far away from home to ensure your family is comfortable and well-provided for. It must take a lot of sacrifice to do that. I think there’s nothing wrong with saying “no” sometimes, it can actually help keep your sanity when too many people are asking so much from you. Just help whenever you can.
I disagree though when you say “…I feel I really don’t deserve to have a lot of money anyway.” You do deserve to have a lot of money. I think we all do. Having a lot of money is a good thing especially if you use it to make yourself and other people happy. :D

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rach (17 comments.) April 17th, 2008 at 2:16 am

i don’t know if you’re a mind reader but I am having these type of worries lately - meaning the financial side. true, living abroad makes life a bit easier (more for us kasi this is a tax-free country) but then with all the obligations and responsibilities of being a sister, daughter and wife… you don’t know what to put on the top of your list.

Yes, your family (Robert and me) should be my priority but then how can you do so when you’re the only person they rely on? the hard part is choosing and being firm with that decision…

I hope by the time we start to have little angels, everything will fall into place. :)
rach’s last blog post..Review: Devil Wears Prada

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kengkay (4 comments.) April 17th, 2008 at 11:01 pm

a cab driver with a heart, and jayme, i salute you for your generosity. sana mas maraming ganyang tao ano, helpful, generous… mas gaganda ang mundo natin.

kengkay’s last blog post..Azure by Vivere - A New Resort in Batangas

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Jayme April 20th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Rach: I understand what you mean. It can get really crazy sometimes. Just try to take it one day at a time, one task at a time, one loved one at a time. You’ll get used to it soon enough. When you become good at handling these things, you’ll be ready for your next challenge: having and raising babies! :)

Ate Kengs: Despite what we see, hear and read in the news, I still believe there are a lot of good people in the world. We just have to keep our eyes and hearts open to them. :)

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