"Sometimes, it's the little things, the unexpected gestures, that leave the most lasting memories."

I rarely post about personal moments on this blog, but there is one incident recently that led me to create this entry. It was something that's too laudable to be left unnoticed, much more unwritten. 

Almost a week after the out of town outreach activity that I attended, I woke up one morning to another message from my mentor and former professor. In it was an attached screenshot of a message, and upon closer look, I found out that the message was an invitation sent by the person who invited me to the recently held community activity. This time, it was an invitation for my former professor and her family to his home in line with the festivities of the town fiesta. 

I could have just reacted to it with an affirming word or an emoji. But what caught my attention and left me pleasantly surprised were the words that followed:

"Isama nyo po si (Ate) Glaiza."

I know you're going to ask me what I felt after reading that part, and I will be candid and honest.  While the message was able to immediately draw a smile on my face, I felt stressed for a brief moment upon seeing it (despite that I haven't even provided any response yet)  because being present would not just mean getting to experience how the occasion is being celebrated in his town. It also meant meeting his family (including his parents) for the first time — something that created knots in my stomach because I was not prepared for that scenario.

Yes, the "Overthinking Tita" character in me made its unexpected arrival that day despite being uninvited.

To cut the story short though, we had to politely send our apologies; because as much as I wanted to accept the invitation and show up, my companions could not make it. My professor and her husband caught the flu and needed time to rest and recuperate, and it would be too awkward if I went to the occasion on my own. 

Although I may have lost the opportunity to see a joyous event in someone's hometown and get to know his family, I must admit that I was also pleased by the guy's considerate act that day. Yes, some anxiety and worry may have shaken my veins at first, but the noble gesture and the fact that I was in his thoughts touched a part of my heart, and convinced me that somehow, chivalry still exists even at this time.      

This note (in my handwriting) might be from 2016,  but it's one of the things that I strongly believe in.

To receive a random act of kindness from another person in this time when good manners is something that is easily being neglected by many, is enough to make it remarkable. But what makes a thoughtful gesture more significant is when it happens at the least expected moment. And while there may be some hint of "regret" for missing the chance to enjoy a colorful celebration, and meet someone's loved ones, I still believe that when the time is precisely right, these things will, and can still happen. For now, I will again hold on to one of those meaningful lines that I once saw from a TV ad. To which it states, "for all the firsts that you've missed, there is always a second chance."