Handkerchief of Life

It is 1995. I am in Grade 6. Time when every kid is fond of playing text cards, pogs. Outdoor games like patintero, langit lupa and sekyu. Time when Nokia 3310 is yet to be born. And the time when you have Piknik or Nutella Sandwich, you are considered the richest kid in town.

It is 1995. I am in Grade 6. The teachers are busy preparing for our graduation. And we, grade 6 students, are busy deciding where to spend our high school.

While almost everyone is undecided on what school to enroll, Czar, my classmate has already chosen his school. He is going to the seminary. He wants to be a priest.

I am not surprised by his decision to be a priest. Everyone thinks he is going to be a priest. He is timid. He is religious. But when he talks in front, everyone listens to him.

One day, he was assigned to share the Bible reflection of the day. After reading the verse, he pulled outs a handkerchief, rolled it, and hold it like a candle. Then he started talking,

“Imagine you are this handkerchief, and this hand holding the Hankie is God. You are above God. Life is full of miseries. Storm comes. The wind blows heavily. When it hit you, no matter how strong you are, you will fall.

But if you put God above everything, on top of everything, no matter how strong the storm is, no matter how strong the wind is, when it hit you, you will remain standing.”

Since that day, after hearing his message, I never forget it. I shared it when I was college. I shared it in our toolbox meeting in the previous job. And now I am sharing it with you.

If you are wondering what happened to my classmate, Czar and his dream of becoming a priest. He is happily married now with a baby boy. Though life has given him a change of heart, the story he shared, when we are in grade 6, still remains in my heart and will continue sharing it to everyone.

Hope this message enlighten you and hope you share it too.

Thank you.