I Cried Because I Have No New Shoes Until I F

I was exiting a store this morning, when a woman approached me and asked a stick of cigarette. I told her I don’t have any, besides I only smoke when I hit the rock bottom. She told me she was very hungry. I said, "If you are, why are you asking for a cigarette instead of food". She said, "It is easier for people to give cigarette than give food." I normally don’t trust stranger because of my training in crime prevention, but somehow, I thought what if she really is. I invited her to the restaurant across the street and ordered her breakfast. I watched her eat like she never eats for a long time. I asked her if she got kids, she said, she got 3 left on her friend’s house. I ordered take home for the kids as well. When she is done, she grabbed my hand, and kissed it, I was taken aback. She asked my name and said’ "Thank You." I told her, "I am one of those nameless faces you meet everyday." I saw her cried. I told her goodbye and take care and patted her shoulder. I went to my car, I turned back and she was still there looking at me, still staring at me until I am gone out of the parking lot.

While driving, I feel there is something building up in my chest, and I started crying. I came from a third world where food is scarce and I am lucky because my family has enough, but to see somebody starving here struck me. While we are the one that make or unmake our lives, I am not prejudice to judge her sufferings and the sufferings of millions like her in the world. She mirrors to me the reality of life…IT IS NEVER BEEN FAIR. All of a sudden I was embarrassed because I complained so much to God why He took away some people I love dearly, spent long hours praying asking for answers. I feel guilty because I have all the basic things I need to live, which are denied to the many. That woman is a reflection of my greed, greed to seek the happiness that I thought was denied to me. I suddenly woke up and realized that the pains I have been carrying are not necessary. And there goes the saying: "I CRIED BECAUSE I HAVE NO SHOES, UNTIL ONE DAY I FOUND A MAN WITHOUT FEET." and yet he is happy. Thanks for that nameless woman; she is just very ordinary, however, she did extra ordinary things for me.