The ultimate gesture in giving gratitude is to say the two magic words: thank you. According to my research, the word "thank" came from the Old English word "pancian" which means to recompense or to reward for something done. The word has come a long way and a lot of people have been using it over time.
Expressing gratitude comes in many forms, and the way it is showed could transcend the ordinary. Last week, I had the opportunity of meeting a young boy who had no limbs on his upper extremities. He lived in the slum area of Barangay Ermita where he also went to school. His name was Jack, the youngest of eight siblings. He lost his mother when he was about one and a half years old and ever since then he was under the care of his aunt who in turn became his mom, legally.
The story of this young boy is beyond the ordinary. Apart from the basic facts, he lives a normal life. Early in the morning he wakes up at six, takes a bath, dresses up and gets ready for school. He takes a short walk with his mother to the school, sometimes in his father's sidecar. In school, he runs, plays, and answers school work just like any other child. In fact, is on the honor roll. That makes it all the more amazing.
I had the privilege of asking the boy what he wants to become, he gave a wild dream of becoming a pilot also saying that it is not impossible. What a young mind dreaming big. He is thankful for his parents and the society that built him, thus being a somebody when he grows up is his way of thanking them for all the love given.
That in its story is just one of the many that shows how gratitude is in proportion to showing love, and that family always comes first. November is pegged as the Children's month. In a few days it will be bound to end and we will be too busy to remember as the Christmas rush will take its toll. Before we all change our modes, let us take a few moments to give our thanks to the children.
Why so? It's because they will be the ones who will shape the future of our country. By now they are learning the basics from the adults and when the time comes they will have decisions that could change the course of our lives. They may be dependent on their parents but one day, we will be taking them for the advancement they will be bringing in and that we will all benefit from it.
Soon enough it will be time to choose the next set of leaders and legislators in our country. There is a move from the youth to promote a clean election for 2016. See, it is the young who wants to drastically change the drama in polls. Why can't we adhere to that just for once?
Politics is brimming just around the corner. Do them a favor and pick the leaders who could help them as they navigate their way into the future. After all, it is for everyone in the end.