Wake Me Up When September Ends

Yesterday September 30...It was payday and I want a new pair of shoes. On my way going to mall I was stock into traffic. Staring at the window of the bus, a young guy caught my attention. He was looking at the tall buildings of the city from the sidewalk. I knew that I saw him before. Then I remembered. He was a cashier in a nearby convenience store where we use to buy food when I was assigned on a jobsite before. He reminds me of my younger brother. A poor boy with small built similar to a high school student who’s bullied by anyone in the class. My brother works as a kitchen crew on a hotel. His job wasn’t that easy for what I see, he’s waking very early to go to work because his workplace is far away from home and comes home very late that we can’t even talk because when I come home, he’s either asleep, leaving or on at work. The worst is that his earnings merely suffice his transportation expense. He often had empty pockets. I wish I can find a better job for him.
In the mall, I checked my salary on the ATM. On the screen, I was reluctant of the amount deposited on my account. I think I wasn’t paid enough but then I still withdrawn cash, the mall will be closing soon. I’ve seen all the shoes from different boutiques for me to have a good comparison, and then I picked the best for me. On a shoe stall, a group of saleslady was talking about their earnings for the week. One Saleslady was so glad she had earned that much. Then I remembered the money I withdrawn. It was bigger than her salary. I was humiliated by her happiness. I keep on asking for something else while others treasure with a little.
I was ashamed of my attitude. I forgot simple things that I need to understand. I kept on looking for something new just to fulfill my happiness not realizing that the only thing I need is just a simple appreciation of the things that I already have. I’m lucky enough. My salary wasn’t that big but I can afford the things that I want. I have a job. I have a home. We’re not affected by the calamity caused by the storm. There are so many reasons to be thankful for. I don’t really need a new pair of shoes. I still have more than enough on my rack. Funny how buying a new pair of shoes awakened me somehow.

Leaving on A Jet Plane

I fetched my brother to the airport this morning. Just a simple thought, this was the second time he was leaving for his work abroad. I wondered what’s in a man’s mind when he leaves his own country. A man trying to cope with a new environment, not his own. Far away from his comfort zone.

Last night I went home just to see everyone’s at home sleeping together in one roof for the very moment. It was really a sudden rush of emotion. It was like turning back time when we all are still young, playing, laughing, shouting, crying and teasing one another. Time really fly so fast. Here we are now, taking each other’s life by themselves. Trying to catch the challenges set by life. We’re on our way now. And from what I see now, I’m hopeful with fingers crossed that everything’s gonna be alright in the end.

To you bro, maybe one day you’ll see this. Though we do not talk that much, I know everything that we have to know. For the mean time, thank you and Goodluck and Godbless us. For what time will hold now will be cherished forever. See you back here.