Simple Words but..........................

I have gotten used to riding MRT and LRT even at the worst hours when you could hardly breath. This usuallyhappens at rush hour when the MRT or LRT is really literally full.

However, I do not get used at people who do not bother to say thank you when they are offered a seat. I have observed this a number of times. The other day, a guy ( though even as if he was snugly fit into the arms of his wife) stood up and offer his seat to a father and maybe his daughter. The father has his daughter seated without him saying thank you to the guy who offered his seat neither even told his daughter to say thank you. This morning, saw the same scenario, I did not hear the mother carrying a young son say thank you "Salamat" (or if they have any word in their language) after being offered a seat. As if you were an "imaginary" person that neither existed:) that offered a seat even if it will take long before you take off.

Today, I recall a missionary who worked in our place ingrained to the children she had taught in Sunday School the importance of saying thank you when you are given something (like candy or other stuff). When you are given a candy or something and did not bother to say thank you, she will have to take it away from you and would not mind if you cry "all your life" until you say Halamat. We do not really have a word for thank you (G has written something about this...can't remember the link) but we have borrowed using Halamat from Salamat!. We also use Haballi which is equivalent to Salamat in Tagalog. Though I think that Haballi however has its deeper meaning than Halamat. It has an embedded meaning that does not merely communicate a thankful heart but also include the nonverbal ones he/she has for that the person who did hte good act. Well, for those of you who ride on buses, jeepneys (pag nag-papaabot at ang layo niya o ikaw) here in the Philippines....familiar ba?

It will not take years to learn to say thank you. You will lose nothing. It will add your life and will enlighten others life. Eventually, you have sown a seed that will grow and multiply in the lives of others. Then it becomes a legacy:). Teach it to your children. I did not realize how healthy it is until I see parents or older ones who do not even know what is "ty"- thank you.

Thank you for reading!