I LOVE this story...
Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, there lived a fourth grader boy who would follow this route to school everyday: He has to cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from.Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut, passing by theChurch every morning just to say Hi to God, and faithfully sayhis, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol dialect. He was faithfully beingwatched by a Priest who was happy to find innocence so uplifting in themorning,"Kamusta, Andoy? Papasok ka na?""Opo padre ... "he would flash his innocent grin, the priest would betouched. He was so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy. "From school...", he advised "Do not cross the highway, you canpass through the Church and I can accompany you to the other side of theroad...that way I can see that you are home safe....""Thank you father ... "
"Why don't you go home ... why do you stay inthis church right after school?""I just want to say 'Hi' to my friend, God," and the priestwould leave the boy to spend time beside the altar,talking to himself, but the priest was hiding behind the altar to listento what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER."You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat althoughmy seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one cracker and drank mywater, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker.Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who was hungry and I know how hefeels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am not that hungry.Look, this is my last pair of slippers ...I may have to walk barefoot nextweek, you see this is about to be broken... but it is okay....at least I amstill going to school.... Some say we will have a hard season this month,some of my classmates have already stopped going to school .... please helpthem get to school again, please God?...Oh, you know, Inay hit me again, it is painful, but I know this painwill pass 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, sheisjust tired and she worries for the food in our table and my schooling thatis why she hits us....Oh, I think I am in love ... there's this pretty girlin my class, hername is Anita ... do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I knowyou will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, youaremy very best friend! Hey your birthday is two days from now!!! Aren't youexcited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you ..... but it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go ..." then he stoodup and calls out, "Padre, padre, I am finished talking to my friend ....youcan accompany me to the other side of the road now"This routine happens everyday. Andoy never fails. Father Agaton shares thisevery Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a verypure faith and trust in God, a very positive look at negative situations.One 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 manangs whowould chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour, would not smile and wouldalways find fault in what you do, they were also very well versed in cursingif you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosarywhen Andoy, coming from his Christmas party,playfully dashed in."Hello God! I ......""P----!! (a curse) bata ka!! Alam mo nang 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 willhaveto pass by the back door of this church ...not only that, I have to greetJesus. It is His birthday, I have a gift right here...." Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the manang pulledhis shirt and threw him out of the church. "Susmaryosep!!! (does the signof the cross fervently) 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 a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside hisshirt,so he was not looking. There was so little time. Andoy died on the spot. Alot of people crowded the poor boy, the body of a lifeless young boy ...Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man in a pure white shirt and pants, aface so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears... He came and carried the boy in His arms. He was crying. Curious bystanders nudged the man inwhite, and asked,"Excuse me sir, are you related to this child?Do you know this child?"The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, looked up andanswered,"He was my best friend .... " was all he said. He took the badlywrapped gift in the bloody chest of the lifeless boy, and placed it nearHis heart.He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight.The crowd was curious ...On Christmas Eve, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He visitedthe house, and wanted to verify about the man in white. He consulted theparents of Andoy."How did you know that your son died?""A man in white brought him here." sobbed the mother. "What didhe say?"The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do notknow him and yet he was very lonely about our son's death, as if he knewourson very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him.Hegave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He brushed my son's hairaway from his face and kissed him on his forehead, then he whisperedsomething...""What did he say?""He said to my boy..." the father began, "Thank you for the gift... I will see you soon ... you will be with me..." and the fatherof the boy continued, "and you know for a while, it felt sowonderful ... I cried, but I do not know why....all I know is Icried tears of joy .... I could not explain it, Father, but whenthat man left, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep senseof love inside ... I could not explain the joy in my heart, I knewmy boy is in heaven now but...tell me, Father, who is this man that my sontalks to everyday in your church, you should know because you are alwaysthere ... except at the time of his death ......"Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, withtrembling knees, he murmurred, " ... He was talking to no one .....but .. GOD...."If you love this story, please. pass this on to your friends.I just did!
" tHE wOods aRe lOveLY Dark aNd dEEp bUt I hAve pRomiSes tO kEep aNd miLes To gO bEfoRe i gO tO sLeEp "
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