It was raining heavily, I was going home from the market riding a jeepney and I have an elderly co-passenger who I think bought his dinner for the night. He alight the jeepney and as I watch him struggle to hold his umbrella and dinner he make his way to cross the road and the drivers of the cars driving by did not even stop to let him pass. As I watch from the speeding away jeepney I saw that still he was not able to cross.
I feel terribly sorry for that old man and angry for those drivers who ignored him. I know that they want to go home and all, but what is a minute to let the old man pass?
I was taught to respect the elderly, and I respect them for their experience. But nowadays, elders are taken for granted. I have seem many elderly people asking for alms on the streets. Where are their sons, daughters, grandchildren? Some of them might have cared for their family from their younger days but why are they no taking care of? Without them, their families would not even exist.
I pity them, but I can't do anything. I don't actually give them alms thinking they are being used by syndicates. Sometimes I just wished they die already so that they will not experience more hardships in life. It's harsh to wish for that but it's for them. I don't want to see them having a hard time.
As I write this, my tears are threatened to fall. I don't want it to happen to me when I get old. I don't want it to happen to my grandparents and my parents. It's so sad that things like that happen.
Sad feelings on this rainy afternoon.