Stick Power
I am a permanent fixture in my mom’s office come summer time. This gave me the opportunity to expand my circle of friends, both younger and older than I am. Interestingly, I have to kiss many Titos and Titas because the office has become my mom’s second family. And mine, too.
As “official member” of the family, I get to join in their summer trips which are meant to strengthen the family as a team, as mom puts it. In short, I have been to a number of places because I am a constant companion of my mom when summer starts. It’s obvious why I always look forward to summer.
Last summer, a new staff joined my mom’s office. She was a revelation to me when we all went to swimming in this beautiful beach. After two hours of building sand castle, walking by the shore and playing volley ball, we all run to the bus that will take us to the venue for lunch. But lo and behold! Tita Ethel went to the bus driver and directed him not to leave unless we all clean the trash in the area. We all complained because we were starving. She did not badge and in her authoritative voice, Tita Ethel asked just one question: “Do you want your loved ones to enjoy this beach?”. Of course we knew what she meant so we all went down. She asked the life guards for two containers where we can dump the biodegradable and the non-biodegradable. Using a barbecue stick she found, she led the group and skillfully picked up whatever piece of trash the stick can hold.
It only took us 15 short minutes to clean the area - 15 minutes of not-so-hard task that could have contributed to perhaps 15 years of damage to the beach had we ignored her. Imagine if we did not have one like her in the group! Lesson number 1 - assert your cause and passion wherever you are. Considering that she is a new comer, Tita Ethel was not intimidated to do the right move. How I wish there would be more dedicated individuals like her who walk their talk. I later learned from my mom that she is an active member of an environmental organization.
When I hold or see a barbecue stick, I am reminded of Tita Ethel and her commitment to the environment. A little stick has the power to influence people to be involved.
