WORKING FOR THE SAME REASONS

Working For The Same Reasons

Last night was a work night for me......since my assistant called ahead to say that he wasn't feeling well...I bought some books to read, in- between patients, since I am rather behind in my reading (you know the feeling that you've bought many books you haven't read yet)....then my patients came and just when I thought I could be alone...someone came in the room...not just an employee, but someone who has been with them for 12 years....and someone who's husband I have been treating, without knowing that he was her husband.....so we talked about a lot of things....

We talked about how she started in the business....we talked about the people we both knew....we talked about her health and her husband's health......The central topic, however, was why we were there, and why everyone else was there.....The answer was identical, and for us Filipinos, it was also the most common, and also the most heart felt answer---it was family....we work for family...not just our spouses and kids, but also our parents, siblings, and sometimes even, nephews and nieces....

She said, both she and her husband still help their respective parents.....so she works there.....she goes home at about 5 a.m. ....goes to work at about 1-2 p.m....everyday, except Sunday....

A lot of them...or a lot of us, who work at night, are maligned, some of them are looked down upon.....To those who continue to do that....well....sorry to say this.....but you may not be able to hold a candle to these people, when it comes to sacrificing for their family or even families.

A lot of them, through cruel circumstances, are unable to continue or finish their studies....but instead of blaming their parents....they decided to work...to feed their families....to make sure that although they could not finish their studies....their siblings and their kids could .....and have a brighter future....how can these traits not be admirable?....How can they not be heroes of their own families?

Don't get me wrong...I am not encouraging kids to get into this line of work...I am simply telling you....not to look down at them....not to judge them...but to understand them....and you may end up respecting them and admiring them!

Our conversation was so interesting and enlightening that I did not mind that I didn't get to read...and that I ate dinner at past 11 p.m....it was food for thought.

They aren't very different from us.....they pray....they go to Mass...they believe in His power and in His love...despite the consequences they found themselves in....despite the challenges they continue to face each day....they still believe in a loving God.

We all work for our family....we all pray at night....we all ask for the same things....that the Good Lord forgives us....that He takes care of our family's health and our health, so that we can continue working for them.....that He helps us to provide for our family's future....and that our loving Lord continue to guide us and enlighten us.

God bless all of the people I work for!
God bless all of the people I work with!
God bless our families!
God bless all of us!