hey. okay. so i went to parkway for lunch today cus i needed to develope some pictures. so on the way back, i was in a rush cus i thought i was gonna be late back. then a one-arm uncle boarded the bus. he isn't a complete stranger.
At where i usually take my lunch - old airport road hawker centre, he always walks around selling tissue. i have bought from him a couple of times but also, have rejected him sometimes. he always had a cheery disposition! but i sometimes thought to myself.. maybe its an act to get people to buy tissue.
so he sat opposite of me. and when my stop was approaching, i pressed the "bus stopping" bell. but i think the one i pressed was spoiled. so i kept pressing and pressing and it didnt go off. then i was about to lean forward to reach for the one opposite of me when that uncle pressed the bell for me! he had only one arm. then he told me, if don't press.. later i'll miss my stop.
sigh! i know.. its such a simple act of kindness. usually, the commuters (generally with two functional arms) probably won't even bother about me and carry on texting and what not. but a one arm man bothered to even press the bell for the bus to stop.. for me? i mean, he could have used his disability as an excuse.. but no. he just brightened my day. i.. am ashamed. because i dont think i would have helped me also if i was in his position. yeah. guess we have alot to learn everyday.
and i guess, i can take another leaf out of his book his his cheery disposition despite his situation. i mean, i have worked at MOM conducting employment survey and most employers i spoke to won't hire people with disability like his cus with one hand.. its impossible to do alot of things. and so, he has to sell tissue.. and honestly.. how much can he earn a day just by selling tissue? and yet.. with his situation and his disability.. he still remains sociable, chatting up with a random stranger like me who looks like an office lady who only minds her own business.. well.. i have SO much to learn. :)
Uncle, thanks for teaching and reminding me that life isn't just about grades and material possessions. im sure he probably has his down days. but if he can be cheerful.. so can i. i promise that for everytime i bump into him, i will buy tissue from him. treat it as tuition fees for teaching me such an important lesson. :)
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