Her eyes starting to fill with tears, Jessica’s lola (grandmother) offered her thanks.
I saw them come in through the glass door of PranaLAB (prana clinic and diagnostics center across St. Luke’s Medical Center, QC or more accurately across its blue building carpark). I didn’t pay them much attention as I was working the phones to invite people for a seminar that weekend. A slip of a long-limbed girl being carried high in the arms of an old man followed closely by a sprightly old lady. Their group is one of the many people who came and went out of the center Friday last week.
Taking a brief break, I let my eyes scan the front half of the center, the long grey sofas, the area by the front door…people strewn about.
I returned to my task but found myself looking up again to see someone looking at me directly. The thin girl with little energy about her. Sitting on the lap of the old man probably her lolo (who exuded sturdiness…”farm” came to mind, relatively clean freely flowing air in an open field), her upper torso slumped on the right side of his chest, her head near his right shoulder, Jessica then took her gaze away from its fleeting lock with mine.
The girl could have been me when I was her age, skinny and in sick mode (not that I was often sick as a child).
Her look unerringly went direct to my soul.
I went on with what I was doing but in no time found myself standing up, walking towards the trio.
Jessica is in great pain, her lola and lolo shared. When her body is touched even slightly, especially the abdominal area and near it, she grimaces or lets out a low yelp.
Ano po ang kanyang karamdaman? (What is her condition?) My standard line to help people open up about their concerns especially what they are feeling that’s not quite right (as most of those who come to the center have an ailing part or parts of their physical bodies). I was going to suggest to them to try energy/pranic healing because it can help relieve pains…can heal deeply (not just physically but emotionally and mentally).
Yes, her lola said they are coming back 1PM for the free healing in the center that day.
Lapay (spleen) is the part affected in Jessica. Like many of the children who are brought to the center for blood or other tests, she has a long-sounding ailment. She goes three times a year to nearby National Children’s Hospital for check up and blood transfusion. Eight years old now, she has been at this since she was less than a year old.
As I conversed with Jessica’s lola while she distractedly texted, it dawned on me that they can be the recipient of the small donation handed to me earlier by Judy, a fellow pranic healer. The money was intended by the donor to help defray some of the costs incurred for child patients with cancer or other severe ailments.
Do you want to receive money donated by someone confined at St. Luke’s? I asked Jessica’s lola and lolo.
They are grateful for it…thanked God foremost. I totally agree and loved them for it.
They probably were as clueless as I was that that was going to be the outcome of our conversation. I stood up to offer them pranic healing service (free if they are cash-strapped although donations or paying the standard healing fee of P300 is encouraged for energy exchange) but I ended up handing them the cash donation coursed through Judy and me.
There are more expenses for blood transfusion so while the money they received was welcome to help them with their gastusin (expenses), the financial load is still worrisome. Jessica’s lola has been texting a child of hers to send money for the tests and blood transfusion ahead.
“’lamat” I heard the tail end of Jessica’s obedience to her grandparents who urged her to say thanks for the donation.
Demandingly yet also to yank her out of the painful stupor she was in, I told weak but attentive Jessica “Smile naman dyan!” She willingly acquiesced but on her face emerged more of a smirk.
It was such a treat therefore when she chortled unexpectedly in reaction to something I did.
Her lola and I had just exchanged contact numbers and names. I, speaking in a voice tinged with a self-satisfied I-am-undertaking-a-noble-thing-here-no-matter-how-small-scale, was simultaneously handing the pen I just used to her lola when “Ay! Ba’t ko sa yo binibigay?” (Why am I giving it to you!) I corrected myself as I borrowed the pen from Is, a PranaLAB staff sitting by his table by the waiting area.
My boo-boo mildly cracked up all of us in that huddle. Especially Jessica! And not just mildly either! Thin wan face lighted up, a hint of naughtiness to it together with the sound of a short but clear laughter. A thing of great price.
I’ll keep in touch, we never know, help just might come along. That money I handed you just came in unexpectedly earlier today, too. I temporarily or permanently farewelled to Jessica’s lola and lolo. They nodded.
True enough, about an hour later, minutes after I told the story of Jessica to Myrna, another healer who helped in the free healing that Friday afternoon, I was quietly handed P1000 by someone who happened to listen to my short narration. (Yeah it seems I get listened to more than I realize.) He wanted to be an anonymous donor.
I went about my organizing for a seminar, calling up or texting people while keeping an eye on people who stream through the front door of the center, scanning visually and feelingly who I could release the donation in my care. I thought not just one but two or more other people in need could partake of the funds.
But the way I sensed it, no one was in dire need of the modest but valuable help available.
Judy arrives and gives me the other half of the donation she earlier handed me.
I now have P1500 in all and no potential recipients in sight.
I waited. Wala pa rin.
Jessica’s lola came to mind.
I texted her that donations have come in and if she’s available she could come pick these up.
No reply.
I went a bit tiredly but still inspiredly with my work even as I experienced some let-downs. I was focusing on keeping on going in spite of some mini-failures along the way.
A sound made me look up and in comes Jessica’s lola.
Tears contained within her eyes, the weary-faced grandmother overwhelmingly thanked God, thanked me, thanked the donors (named and unnamed) of the money I handed to her after she detailed the expenses for Jessica till the next day. The tired face is now shot with lightness, joy at the availability of additional funds.
To be a channel for such prosperity is one of the best experiences. It felt like my ordinary life has once again been elevated to extra-ordinary.
Jessica…her lola in particular seemed to have distinctly won God’s favor that day, I kinda like to be in her shoes to be such a vessel (and channel, I am sure) for God’s providence even while facing the challenges of a sick loved apo (grandchild). I believe her entitlement may have partly to do with her active church engagement. She serves at the diocese of Antipolo. Not knowing much about Jessica, I wonder what good karma the child had invested that she attracts help from strangers.
God certainly moves in such deliciously mysterious ways. Aren’t I glad I witness these!