Learnings from an unfortunate event

Last Sunday, I lost my cell phone. My Nokia 6300 music edition phone which I bought after three months of careful spending, strategic budgeting, and intense product research. Oh, and not to mention hard work. So even if it’s not really that high-end (it’s only 2.5G) it meant a lot to me. And I had no one to blame but myself.

I went out with my mom, cousin, nephews, and friend last Sunday. Because my cousin in Bukidnon texted that se wanted to chat with us. But bringing a three-year-old super hyperactive little boy to an internet café meant trouble, so my cousin decided to take Binoi to the playground (or play area) in Lee Plaza. And because for some reason my nephew enjoys my company, so I was given Nanny duty. All went well, Binoi enjoyed playing and I was taking a lot of pictures. Although I wasn’t feeling that good because of allergic rhinitis, it was ok because I drank anti-allergies before we went out.

By the time we were ready to go home, I was really very very sleepy, quite groggy even, that I felt like I was floating after my mom as we made our way to the road to get a ride. And my bladder was full, too. The usual side effect I experience from taking anti-allergy meds. So I was really itching to get home.

Mom wanted to go somewhere else before finally going home so I opted to go home ahead. So I rode a pedicab. And while I was sitting there, was really sleepy and closed my eyes the whole ride home. Naturally, I didn’t notice that my cell phone slipped off from my pocket. I only realized that it was gone when I got home and hurriedly got rid of my shorts to pee. When I reached down my pocket to get my phone, it was gone. Cold sweat broke on my skin and I lost the sleepy groggy feeling. It was replaced by butterflies in my stomach.

I was so mad and frustrated at myself for not checking my pocket while riding the pedicab. I had no one to blame but myself. Although it hurt that I had lost the cell phone that I worked so hard to buy, I was more concerned about my contacts. That phone was where all my important contacts can reach me. That phone is where all the companies I’ve applied to will contact me.

Good think Ron2x stayed over, so I was able to call and text my phone. I texted whoever found it to please return it to me. And I also kept calling it. But all through the night no one answered.

We had dinner at Cookie’s that night because she was celebrating her graduation. All night, Ron2xand I would occasionally call it. And no one would answer.
I was thinking, if it was just the driver tat found my phone, there’s a 60% chance he’d be kind enough to return it. But if it was a passenger who found it then it would be “in good hands”. So I though I’d give it until tomorrow before I abandon all hope.

That night, when I prayed my usual bedtime prayer, I said:

Dear God, it’s me again, Your rebellious and hard-headed child. I’m a firm believer of “everything happens for a reason”, and I know You are trying to teach me something here. I know I may not be able to see what it is You want me to learn right now through this unfortunate event, but I really think You’re trying to say something here. Well, you know me, God. I may be rebellious and hard-headed but you know that I have always been on your side. I have always trusted You and right now I want to let You know that I trust You still. Whatever lesson there is to be learned today, I know that Your intentions are and will always be good. So, Your will be done, God. Amen.

And surprisingly, I slept well. not a single nightmare or replays of what happened in my sleep.

Early next morning, mom woke me up to give the phone another try.
And thankfully, somebody answered!

Her name was Maebelle and she said was the daughter of the driver who found my phone. And yes, she wants to return the phone. So she asked me to drop by her workplace so I can pick up my phone there. And incidentally, she was Ron2x’s high school buddy.
Me losing my phone was somehow a way that reconnected Ron2x with his high school buddy. And I have also realized that there still are good and honest people in Dumaguete.

I may not know yet what other lessons God has meant for me to learn from that unfortunate event until I carefully and thoroughly think more about it, but one of those lessons id the kindness of strangers and how it is still alive in Dumaguete. Praise God.

To Maebelle and her father (pedicab number 7021), thank you. People like you make me realize that mankind is not as bad as most of us assume it is. The world just feels a little safer knowing that there are still good people like you. I will never forget your kindness and honesty. I hope God would bless you even more.