I thought it was going to be an ordinary day until… I caught myself crying during the Holy Communion while on reflection. I saw a boy, maybe about 16 years old (my estimate), he was begging his dad to let him come with him in taking the Bread. The dad did not let him. instead, he was asked to stay behind and remain on his seat. He was helpless. He followed his dad with his eyes. Looking hopeless that he can still hold the hands of his dad. He just kept on looking at him while I on him. I wanted to offer my hand for him to hold as i let him come with me as i take the Bread. He is a boy with Down’s Syndrome.

“Down syndrome is a set of physical and mental traits caused by a gene problem that happens before birth. Children with Down syndrome tend to have certain features, such as a flat face and a short neck. They also have some degree of mental retardation. This varies from person to person, but in most cases it is mild to moderate.”

The boy opened my eyes to one fact of life–that i may sometimes feel that I have been carrying the whole world upon my shoulders, that i may sometimes feel so helpless, but to each and every one is a challenge we are bound to face. God gave it to us as He believes we can manage. Does the boy know that? Is he even aware of God? Whether or not he does, there, at the littlest part of his own world is a Playmate making his world a fun place, as well as a Hand to hold and guide.

He is even given the family to accompany him and to defend him against the cruel world he may not even be aware of.

I felt then, i got so engrossed with my so-called “issues”, but they actually are nothing compared to not having the hand you want to hold as you find comfort with it and the only grip you have to a world other than your own.

I do not think that “pity” should be the right feeling for the kid. He’s got a family with him. and i know for sure that God thinks he is one strong and able boy who can manage the fact that he is created that way.

Down syndrome is a lifelong condition. But with care and support, most children with Down syndrome can grow up to have healthy, happy, productive lives.

In fact, it is myself that i must pity. For the way i confronted my “issues”.

That afternoon, i went home to Laguna. I had to wait outside the house as i then had no key. I waited too long for my dad was outside attending to some business matters. I felt sad for myself as i just sat down there in front of the house, on the street. Pity for myself, again. I felt a bit agitated as well. Then my dad came. Then he went out again. When he came back, he came with a news that the house at the end of our street got burned (it was not big enough for us to notice). Although, it was destructive enough to burn almost all the new furnitures of an old couple. Nobody was there in the house with them. their children were either out of the country or living in a separate house in manila. The old man wanted to get inside the burning house, as conveyed by my dad. good thing my dad, along with the other neighbors stopped him. it was helpless, not until the firemen came. the story that was conveyed to me was that the couple’s children were in malaysia. the only child they have in the Philippines is in Marikina who allegedly was even keeping the money sent by the other children for their parents leaving the old couple with not even a quarter of the money sent to them. They get their food sometimes from the neighbors sharing their cooked food in pity for the couple.

I was left with nothing but to just witness the old man trying to recover the furnitures and appliances left after the fire, those which may still be used.

They have their own challenges. even at their age. challenges other than the fire in their house, their children away and ot able to care for them and a child not caring at all to even think about getting what was for their sustenance.

I pity myself. I have not a single right.

The day ended with a friend, who turned out to be tipsy, telling me she is too tired. weary (her own word). Tired. Tired of everything, too many to even cite one by one. “I am just here for you, you have me along with everyone else you may have seemed to not notice.”

to each and every one is a challenge bound to hit us and which we are bound to overcome.