Sunday, June 07, 2020

Rain Clouds and Silver Linings - Guest Post Sunday


Queue, Dasmariñas City

I will set the tone for this photo. This was taken during ECQ at a popular mall in Dasmariñas. Time: 8:40 AM. The supermarket opens at 9 AM. Everybody arrives separately - some by foot, some by cars, and some by bikes. The gates aren't open yet so you are directed to go to the end of an already long line. You step on the assigned markers, placed 1 meter apart. No one knows each other. But then you catch the eye of the person beside you. She smiles. You smile. She shrugs and tells you, "Ang haba ng pila. Ang hirap no? Pero kaya yan." Three feet apart, yet you've never felt closer to another human being. You see yourself through her eyes. At that precise moment, no one understands what you are going through more than her - and the people around you.

This is not an isolated case. I've heard of communities getting together to help each other during this time. I’ve seen mothers helping novice buyers select the right kind of vegetables on their shopping list (Pechay? Parsley? Kinchay? It's not easy!). I've joined a Facebook group of "Quarantine Tributes" where people post random stuff, thoughts, questions and I find that there is no negativity - just people helping other people. Again, hundreds of miles apart, yet we've never been closer.

Shared trauma binds us. It can solidify relationships, mend old wounds, and establish new relationships. The right heart always chooses compassion. I believe we have that. Look beyond what you can see. What if this time meant to force us apart, actually made us closer?

E. Loreto
Dasmariñas , Cavite
Eunice works for one of the country's biggest media networks. She has read hundreds of books and writes on her leisure time, with some of her works featured at thoughtcatalog.com!

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Cavite Daily Photo is inviting Caviteño authors who would like to share their stories and experiences about life and living in the province we call home, Cavite! If you are interested to write and share your best photo, email me at stevensonque@gmail.com

16 comments:

  1. Nos ha cambiado mucho la vida y la forma de comprar. El aforo en los Centros comerciales o Supermercados, están delimitados y hay que esperar en cola, que podamos entrar.

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    1. Eso es mas o menos lo mismo aqui. Es difícil pero tenemos que seguirlo por la seguridad de todos.

      Muchas gracias mi amigo y feliz buena semana por tu y su familia!

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  2. ...finding the silver lining is what life is all about.

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    1. Very much true my friend Tom! No matter how many gray clouds are heading towards us there will always be that silver lining waiting for us to see

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  3. Yes! Great post...I do think sometimes things like this brings out the best in people. Not all the time...but sometimes.

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    1. You are very right Rose! And when it does, it's very warming and also something that can empower us :)

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  4. Yes, the saying 'we are all in this together' has never been truer SQ, take care 💜

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    1. Love that Grace! It made me sing that song from High School Musical "We're all in this together!" Take care and happy new week!

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  5. Yes, same here, distance brings us closer... in our hearts!

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    1. A super big yes to that dearest Iris! Sending you hugs this New week!

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  6. So true - in New Zealand we have found the same - neighbours taking the time to talk, and often chats when queuing. There is definitely a silver lining to the pandemic.
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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    1. Very true! That sense of community is not commonly seen with total strangers here as well :) Congratulations on having 0 active cases in NZ Maxine :)

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  7. This is a good photo. I always talk to people when I am in the queue :-)

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    1. I will remember to do the same once I can go out of the house again Ananka. Happy new Week there in Scotland!

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  8. Hello Steve,
    That must be impressive to see these human waiting for the supermarket for their food.
    Let's hope all comes well soon.

    Best regards,
    Marco

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    1. Amen to that my friend Marco. Hope all of this will just be an important lesson in the memory of everybody.

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Stevenson