When I was a child lots of kids came and played at our house and back area. I remember a time when I pushed a boy into the fish pond. He had been acting like an acrobat, walking the tight rope, as he walked the perimeter of the fish pond. Perhaps I was jealous that he was able to do so with such ease that I pushed him into the fish pond. His sister screamed, "Help my brother; he's drowning."
When I returned to the house, Nanay was furious with me. She told me to go to confession. When I got to church and made confession, the priest asked if I was sorry for my sin. I told him no, that the boy had been bragging. The priest in turn was angry and told me to get out.
When I went home, I remember my grandmother punishing me. During my time out, as I sat alone I remember thinking how did my grandmother know that I had not been sorry for my sin?
I often recall this incident to my students when I discipline them. I tell them that as much as my Nanay loved me, she also punished me when I made mistakes.
Fast forward at least 40 years (I don't know exactly when the incident happened). I was at a meeting and Jaime Vidanes reintroduced himself to me. He asked if I remembered pushing a boy into the fish pond. I said yes. Jaime told me he was that boy. I was mortified and asked for his forgiveness. He said, "Wala iyon (It's nothing.)" I told him it can't be "nothing", and that I had really gotten punished by Nanay because of what I did.
Since then each time I see Jaime, he greets me and asks how was my day. I guess he has forgiven me.
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Taina and Jaime Vidanes by the fish pond |
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Jaime and his son Jon Mhik |