Sunday, June 22, 2008

Appréciez

My mother came to know this 90-plus year-old Aunty in our neighbourhood. I've seen her quite a few times sitting around coffee shops all alone or if not, with different groups of people round the table (where it seemed to me that those peeps don't know who she is and vice-versa). You can tell she longs company.
Just, my family and I had dinner at one of the quieter coffee shops and while Mom and I went to buy drinks, we saw Aunty. She tapped on my Mom's shoulder and was all smiley and asked how my mother was doing. My mother bought Aunty a drink, spoke a few words before leaving for our table.

While we were filling ourselves with the good food, Aunty was going home. She passed by our table, waved and wanted to say "Bye". Then, she stopped dead in tracks, turned around (mind you, she has difficulty walking), stuck our her arm, and shook our hands one by one.
You may think it's nothing. But I was really amazed. Imagine an old lady. 90 odd. Standing on two enervating limps. Shaking your hands. Just to acknowledge that she appreciates. I'm not saying it's the drink that made her do that. Rather, it's the whole thing. How my mother actually spent time talking to Aunty when they bumped into each other at the neighbourhood central not once, but on several occasions. Mom quoted from this friend's of hers who said "Why are you even talking to her, she's crazy!" Mom ignored her remarks. After all, Aunty is human. She is just like anyone of us. So what she's old. We grow old. We will lose charm one day. If you think like what my Mom's friend does, then when that very day comes, you're gonna be very sad. Because the words that came out from that mouth of yours are gonna hit you. Hard. Very hard.
Putting that aside, all I want to say is, I'm amazed. Very amazed. The little gesture of Aunty's. Shaking all our hands. Showing that she appreciates. It made me smile. It's so nice.

It's not hard to tell someone, whoever, that we appreciate. For what they've done for us. Whether big or small. It doesn't matter. As long as we learn how to appreciate, we'll learn that this world is actually a wonderful place to live in.
And that. Is something which sets Aunty aside from the others. She did not forget to appreciate. Even when she's about to hit the century mark.


Pity it's not a culture nor is it a common sight to see people hugging here. If not I'll be hugging everybody.

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 10:28 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.