Unusual Channel
By Ma. Renette B. Uy

A tragedy not to be forgotten

I was supposed to share this story a week ago to pay tribute to the 9/11 incident but it is never too late. This was sent to me through email years ago after the tragic incident brought about by heartless terrorists. Whoever they may be, gimmick or not, they are still heartless. Anyway, this mail was sent to me and I was touched by it because I am one person whom patience is not just a best quality. It is hanging like a thread about to give in. And this one was something to really think about. Why things happen the way it happens, and that everything happens for a reason. May it be just a heartbeat, a faint pulse, a gasp, a sigh or even a smile? It happens for a reason. This is just a short story but it had a powerful impact on me. I try to think about this story every time my patience runs out. Here is the story related by an employee of the tower.

After Sept. 11th, one company invited the remaining members of other companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their available office space. At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive...all the stories were just:

The “L I T T L E” things. As you might know, the head of the company survived that day because his son started kindergarten. Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts. One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time. One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident. One of them missed his bus. One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change. One's car wouldn't start. One went back to answer the telephone. One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have. One couldn't get a taxi. The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today. Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone...all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment. Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you. May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.

I take things for granted sometimes if not all the time. I tend to forget that when big things happen it is because of the small details I put into it. I remember when I used to work in Manila before, as usual, traffic was always bad. I would really be very impatient and would repeatedly honk the car without a care in the world just so I can get the attention of the cars before me and give them my most deadly stare! Geez, if looks could kill then I am a murderer 20 times over! If that is not enough, I would give “the finger”, you know…I was bad!

Anyway, this was still in Manila then that I remember before I started moving to go to work, I was delayed by a brownout in the apartment and couldn't take a bath because there was no electricity therefore, no water. To top it all, after an hour of waiting for the power to come back, on my way to the office, traffic was humongous (sic). I was to conduct a seminar/workshop for twenty five personnel and I didn't want to be late but of course, the traffic was making me late that time and I was on the verge of getting really, really mad. The cars were not moving anymore and other drivers started to get out from their cars to find out why we weren't moving. I asked a taxi driver what was the fuzz and he told me that there was one big accident that caused about five or more cars to collide with a huge tanker. If I was not an hour delayed because of the brownout, perhaps I was one of those cars that collided with the tanker. Of course, there were casualties, luckily no one died. I didn't even realize the importance of my being delayed not until later on. Actually, realization came several years after. It was only then I learned to appreciate that things happen for a reason. That I should not take for granted the little things that happen. The brownout was one small thing but it meant a great deal after knowing what might have been if not for the brownout.

I can say now that, at least if I am in the middle of a huge traffic, minus the car of course, (I take the jeep these days) it should not make me upset. I should be thankful instead especially when I am able to reach my destination safely. A lesson well learned and appreciated. An experience better remembered because of how it changed me on how I look at life and the little things it brings. The 9/11 tragedy took a lot of lives however, for those who lived to tell their stories, thank you! I learned to appreciate life more and count my blessings. Of course, not to forget that the Lord always have a hand in all the little and the great things that happen.

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”