New Friend

It's been a long time since I went to Quiapo. I missed those Wednesdays when I would have my quiet time. I got so busy and couldn't leave early from the office.

Today my agenda was for something else. I was just buying something for someone, and even thinking of shoe-shopping or check out some accessories.

After buying the main stuff I went straight to the church to say "hi". I just stood, since I knew I won't be that long. Then an old woman caught my attention. She had a small body frame, white hair. She was standing, trying to fix her skirt. She had a plastic bag, which I think she used as her handbag, an umbrella and her "pamaypay". Surprisingly she was clean. Normally when you see a senior who carries a plasticbag full of clothes or tattered bag, they would look dirty and most of the time they smell too.

But this old woman was an exemption. What made me look at her was the fact that her body frame was so small was because her back curled, due to Osteoperosis. I watched her as she was fixing herself. She took her bag and umbrella with her. I imagined how could she sit comfortably when her slouch was so bad. She doesn't look like she's having a hard time with her condition, but still I could not think how she could cope walking in slouched back.

I was ready on my foot that when she would pass me I would discreetly give her money for food. In a way I was nervous as she approaches my way. This would be the first time I would do something like this extravagant over an old person.

As she stood in front of me I called her out and whispered to her. She smiled at me in her sweetest smile. We talked a little. Her name's Purification or Puring. I felt our conversation would take a while so I told her we better sit again.

She lives at the LRT, I think that would below the LRT station. I don't know how she sleeps esp with her back condition. I worry for her esp during rainy season. Her memory's still good, considering she'll turn 81 this Dec 8. She usually stay at the church. She mentions her family but chooses to stay by herself. A lot of people would hand her money, even though she doesn't ask for alms. People would invite her to eat, even stay in their homes, she thanks them but still chooses not be a burden to others. She's clean and smells fresh. She does use the toilet and cleans herself at a paying cr near the place where she stays, and she carries only a plastic bag with some clothes and toothbrush in it.