Old woman… this morning an old lady sat beside me in the jeep, am on my way to work and she is going to market to beg.  She told us (to nobody in particular) that she is 103 years old, and of course, my eyebrows rose to an inch higher than usual. I smiled at her in answer and said… she only look 65.  Yet she continued with her story that she buried her two sons who died naturally (not breathing)… and she now need help because she is alone, poor and obviously cannot work anymore.  I smiled at her and gave her some money and I insisted that she is only 65 not 103.

This is just an ordinary scene on my way to work.  But today something stirred my mind… as a woman of no means, I understand how it is to be poor and with no family to provide secure lodging and food; as a woman in mid-life transition, I thought of my mortality.   And I prayed for her that she will have what she needs… that only God can provide.  My generation offers little interest in helping persons like her, they usually are referred to an institution.  In the province when I was growing up… neighbors take turns helping the poor, widows, orphans and unwed mothers.  Help and care abounds in the community. But now it seems to be a virtue of the past. Or is it?

Where is self dignity in working instead of begging?

My son who is wise beyond his years… commented one time that persons who just wait for the money to come (without working for it) are the type who will never be able to save and instead will only waste the graces they receive.  This is a sad reality.  It is easier to ask for money from friends and relatives who work abroad than working for it.  Begging can be in any form.  There are those who are professional beggars for worthy causes (fund raisers)  -whom I admire; beggars for daily food, happy enough to get anything, no worries of the future; there are beggars who plan their lives, time and vices around their donors, like parasites.

There is dignity in work. It gives satisfaction in providing for one’s own needs and for his family. There is joy and pride in work well done and money earn the hard way.  We should not encourage begging in the streets,  we should empower the poor, illiterate, and unskilled to learn and earn. We should re-orient our stories to encourage Juan Masipag not Juan Tamad.

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