First my father (in February), then my mother (in July) were brought to Silliman University Medical Center (SUMC) during the first half of this year.

Except for their doctor-friend, Dr. Elizabeth Heceta, who is the sister of my father's classmate, we don't know anybody in SUMC.

So, the first time I went there to check on my father, I never felt so anxious. I boarded the plane with my heart in my throat, and touched down in Dumaguete with super hot palms, as if I was running a fever (that's how I am when I'm tensed or stressed). In the ride to the hospital, I had to take deep breaths several times because my heart was beating really fast. Thanks to my aunts and uncles who met me at the airport and made my ordeal a lot easier to hurdle.

The second time, I was the same bundle of anxiety, mainly because, I always see my mother as a pillar of strength; never gets tired, and always up and about. She does everything! She can do anything!

It's really difficult to see both of them as elderly.

I was the sole companion of both patients, and since we were not really in our hometown, I couldn't get a helper to stay with us for the night in the hospital, or run errands/do chores for me. There was only me. If you know me, I always have a helper by my side. And so it was during these times that I rely on the kindness of strangers.

I would request the companions of the other patients to look after my patient while I get myself food, coffee, or supplies. There were always people to talk to, and listen. This was exactly what happened when my mother was in the hospital. We couldn't get a private room as the hospital was full house. Compared to the time when my father was hospitalized, it was lonelier because it was only me and my mother who were in the private room. I realized it was much easier to be in a shared room with two to three other patients. Anyway, the room was spacious enough, and our roommates were good, jolly, sharing and caring people despite the circumstance. We were just all thankful that our cases were not really that serious. I pray they are all better and okay by this time.

But yeah, when I was in SUMC and Dumaguete, I was surrounded by kind strangers.

The doctors, nurses and hospital staff, both in the pharmacy, cafeteria, and the cashier, were all kind people. They wouldn't hesitate to extend help anytime.

I had to arrange for my mother's Senior Citizen booklet as they were not able to bring it with them. I went to the Senior Citizen Office in front of SUMC and the man who assisted me was very gracious and very helpful. The process didn't take a minute to be done! He even gave me special instructions. My bad is that I didn't get his name.

The next kind stranger I met was the guard at the PhilHealth Office, still in Dumaguete. He made every step very easy to do and accomplish. He was even the one who walked my papers to the concerned people and came back to me with the accomplished MDR. All in less than an hour, or was it less than 30 minutes?! He also gave me special instructions to have the document photocopied and always keep the original with me and not submit it to agencies requesting it. Again, I failed to get his name.

But in every accomplished task, I would whisper a prayer for all those whom God sent my way to make my life easier, and the situation lighter.

This experience makes me believe that in every man, stranger or not, there is a kind soul. There is hope for this world after all.

#kindstrangersrule