Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, there lived a fourth grader boy whowould follow this route to school everyday: He has to cross the ruggedplains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklesslydriving to and fro. Once past this highway, the boy would take a shortcut, passing by the Church every morning just to say Hi to God, andfaithfully say his, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol dialect. He wasfaithfully being watched by a Priest who was happy to find innocence souplifting in the morning, "Kamusta, Andoy? Papasok ka na?" "Opo padre... "he would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched. Hewas so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy. "From school...", headvised "Do not cross the highway, you can pass through the Church and Ican accompany you to the other side of the road...that way I can seethat you are home safe...." "Thank you father..." "Why don't you go home ... why do you stay in this church rightafter school?" "I just want to say 'Hi' to my friend, God," and thepriest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking tohimself, but the priest was hiding behind the altar to listen to whatthis boy had to say to his heavenly FATHER.
"You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheatalthough my seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one cracker anddrank my water, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker.Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten that was hungry and I know howhe feels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am not thathungry. Look, this is my last pair of slippers ...I may have to walkbarefoot next week, you see this is about to be broken... but it isokay....at least I am still going to school.... Some say we will have ahard season this month, some of my classmates have already stopped goingto school ....please help them get to school again, please God?...Oh,you know, Inay hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain willpass away, at least I still have a mother.... God, you want to see mybruises? I know you can heal them.... Here... here and ....oh...blood...I guess you knew about this one huh? Please don't be mad at Inay, sheis just tired and she worries for the food in our table and my schoolingthat is why she hits us....Oh, I think I am in love ...there's thispretty girl in my class, her name is Anita ... do you think she willlike me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, don't have tobe anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey yourbirthday is two days from now!!!Aren't you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you. Butit is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go ..."then he stood up and calls out, "Padre, padre, I am finished talking tomy friend ....you can accompany me to the other side of the road now"
This routine happened everyday. Andoy never failed. Father Agaton sharedthis every Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen avery pure faith and trust in God, a very positive look at negativesituations.
On Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it in theChurch; he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangswho would chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour, would not smile andwould always find fault in what you do, they were also very well versedin cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying theirkilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas party, playfullydashed in. "Hello God! I ......" "P----!! (a curse) bata ka!! Alam monang may nagdadasal!!Alis!!"
Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed tohelp me cross the street ...and to be able to cross the street I willhave to pass by the back door of this church not only that, I have togreet Jesus.It is His birthday, I have a gift right here...." Just as he was aboutto get the gift out of his shirt, the manang pulled his shirt and threwhim out of the church. "Susmaryosep!!! (does the sign of the crossfervently) Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!!!
So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road infront of the church. He crossed. A fast moving bus came in. There was ablind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he wasnot looking. There was so little time.
Andoy died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the poor boy, the bodyof a lifeless young boy ...Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man in a purewhite shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full oftears... He came and carried the boy in His arms. He was crying. Curiousbystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, "Excuse me sir, are yourelated to this child? Do you know this child?" The man in white, Hisface mourning and in agony, looked up and answered, "He was my bestfriend." was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloodychest of the lifeless boy, and placed it near His heart. He stood up andcarried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight. The crowd wascurious...
On Christmas Eve, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He visitedthe house, and wanted to verify about the man n white. He consulted theparents of Andoy. "How did you know that your son died?" "A man in whitebrought him here." sobbed the mother. "What did he say?" The fatheranswered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know himand yet he was very lonely about our son's death, as if he knew our sonvery well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him. He gave me my son, andthen he smiled peacefully. He brushed my son's hair away from his faceand kissed him on his forehead, and then he whispered something...""What did he say?" "He said to my boy..." the father began, "Thank youfor the gift ... I will see you soon ... you will be with me..." and thefather of the boy continued, "and you know for a while, it felt sowonderful ... I cried, but I do not know why....all I know is I criedtears of joy .... I could not explain it, Father, but when that manleft, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense of loveinside ... I could not explain the joy in my heart,I knew my boy is inheaven now but...tell me, Father, who is this man that my son talks toeveryday in your church, you should know because you are always there... except at the time of his death ......"Father Agaton suddenly feltthe tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmurred, " ...He was talking to no one ...But GOD..."
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