REFLECTIONS : “ UP ” Is the Way
by TERESITA BACANI-OROPILLA , MD
Dressed in loosely fitting donated clothes , the middle-aged pediatrician found a picture of her mother . Although burnt at the edges it was worth keeping , a remembrance of the devastating fire that early morning .
Awakened by a fire alarm , she and her husband barely made it out of their house to save their lives . They watched as the local fire department tried to save anything – house , garage and everything in them , to no avail .
How to face the modern world without its trappings ? No identification papers to prove who they were , no proof they owned a house and cars which were no more , not even clothes of their own ?
Unfortunately , in our present tumultuous world , many are facing the same dilemma . Somehow , people have turned against themselves and others , leaving much destruction , homelessness and suffering . It does not need a physical fire , as we know it , to ignite these .
Where will this all lead to ? Will future historians refer to our “ mini-migrations ” and wonder why we did them ? Will they attribute it to climate change ? Political struggles ? Degradation of human values ? Plain selfishness about the plight of others ?
Yet , there is hope . The “ burnt down ” couple slowly rebuilt from the ashes . The smaller house will fit their needs as they grow older . Although memories of their worldly collections still bring tinges of sadness , they now entertain with less finesse .
Others will do the same . From the ashes of destruction will rise new expectations !
The lesson ? “ Be of good heart . Life goes on ! When one is down , there is no other way but UP !”
Dr . Bacani-Oropilla is a retired pediatrician and psychiatrist .
December 2023 27