Rich Melinda
Nanay used to call me ‘amerikana.’ Not bec. i look like one but bec. I only eat pandesal or tinapay sa breakfast. They’d usually find me crying quietly not saying anything even when asked what’s wrong. Tito Meliton would always guess why…no pandesal for breakfast. Then nanay would go on blabbering of ‘kasi tanghali ka na magising, akala mo kung sino kang amerikana!’ Hehehe! But my dear tito Meliton, would come with the pandesal and not only that, he’d throw in a glass of choco drink (what was that again, the choco syrup, one in the dispenser wherein you’ll pull out the top and then squeeze the body?) Anyway, that was during grade school. Later in my life the ‘amerikana’ title had been forgotten but was replaced by….’akala mo kung sinong mayaman!’ LOL! I really find this ridiculous. What have i done this time? Well, i still get up later than everyone most of the time; I’d always find reasons to avoid washing the dishes; I’d complain when we’re having fish (but i do love galunggong) or gulay for dinner; when I’d get up early, it’s bec. I’d go biking or jogging; sometimes, I’d go swimming and all these were thought of, ‘things only rich people can do.’ There were times when I’d stop doing those things, afraid of the accusations but then I’d realize why stop? I love doing those, keeps me fit and gives me pleasure. If i can have ‘pandesal’ or ‘tinapay’ for breakfast, then i must be ‘amerikana’ and if i can do those things then i must be rich!!! Reflecting on that, indeed i am rich!
God gave us everything we need and money is just one of them (so i don’t really equate being rich as having lots of money.) Even when i was a child (clearly i didn’t have money at that time) i had everything i needed. My family provided me of things i couldn’t buy for myself and my environment, aided with my creativity provided me the rest.
How to be rich? Look up, smile, work your mind and be free.
Feeling poor? Ask yourself why… really, why?
By the way, i am now sick and tired of eating bread for breakfast, i now eat sinangag or pansit or whatever is left the night before for breakfast. I’ve learned to eat gulay but wouldn’t crave for it. I still wake up late during my off days. I still find reasons to avoid washing the dishes.
So, what would my title be now?
