I don’t know what made me run all the way back.
He had refused three times. He already refused. Profusely, too.
He was an elderly malay man sweeping up the dead leaves beneath my flat even though it was a wet day. Clad in a paper-thin uniform, and a matted black hat, he was drenched in the rain. I held out my large, red-rimmed Elizabeth Arden umbrella, whose canopy was filled with striking leopard prints.
“For you, Uncle. It’s raining, you might fall sick. ” I said.
“No, no, I’m going home now. I’m going to change out. It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s okay, it’s okay… I cycling home in rain. No need umbrella…” he brushed me aside and walked away.
I walked home to my elevator. In some way, I wished I had had a cheaper umbrella to give away instead of my Elizabeth Arden one. I was embarrassed at the thought- the reason why there are still the poor in the world is perhaps, we do not share enough.
A hundred and eighty degrees turn sent me running after him in the rain, with the red and leopard-printed Elizabeth Arden umbrella clutched in my right hand and the rain drizzling down generously on me.
The rain irritated me for ten seconds- he was out in it all afternoon. He was old enough to be my grandfather. He was in the rain. He was sweeping up leaves in the rain for the cleanliness of my estate. In a black hat in the rain.
The last time I took the elevator, another elderly malay cleaner smiled at me, and on probing, told me what a bad migraine he had had because of working hard under the bad weather. He keeps our lifts clean.
“Uncle, you take home, I give you. You not using today, never mind. Next time it rains, you must use okay? Or else like that will fall sick. What is your name Uncle?”
Uncle Ahmad took my red and leopard-printed Elizabeth Arden umbrella home.
The Poor have pride, too.
hey dear, have you watched “Chariots of Fire”? wonderful film, watched it with my cell today. its an old movie. i think you’ll love it and the messages within
lovenat
hi dear, thanks for thinking of me. Will try to get my hands on it when Ive the chance 🙂
love,
Jia
Hi waijia, i wrote you long long ago and i still keep a print of the picture you drew…the one where the little girl is stabbing at God’s finger. It’s so encouraging to read your posts, to see that after the hard battle, there is more to life. I wish to help others just like you, but i haven’t found the courage, i haven’t won the monster inside me yet.
Your writing will be my motivation, may god bless you always. Take care
theresa
hi Theresa,
remember that life is a journey for us all, and I am learning that “winning the monster” isn’t a destination, but a process. We will never begin to overcome our courage or monsters if we continually wait for the day to come. Instead, by challenging ourselves to love God and love others on a daily moment-to-moment basis, we go thru the process of overcoming our fears and breaking down the chains which used to bind us.
May the many little parables in the bible gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) be your source of inspiration and guidance, as for me, it is the power of the writing in that special book which has given me so much strength and freedom.
God bless you.
hi wai jia,
i admire the tenderness of your heart and your largeness of your heart to love people…and your courage to make a difference despite the initial resistance.
You have conveyed the unconditional love of God through your actions, and I am sure the touch of God is felt as you allow yourself to be used of God to be His eyes, hands, and heart.
I thought of contacting you but somehow the email I sent to you bounced back. wonder what is the best way to contact u.
do let me know.
Blessings.
mrs lim
Hi Mrs Lim,
Thank you for leaving a note… Hope youve been well 🙂 am still learning so many things and awed by how short we fall and am only covered by God’s grace…
My email is [email protected]. hope youll have a lovely week ahead 🙂
thank you for yr encouragement.
walking too,
waijia