Some People Need Grace. Others Need a Slipper

Here is your fresh towel, madam.

Walk right here, on the carpet, your highness.

Here, Sus—let me pull up a chair for you. Please, have a seat.

I cleaned your house, your desk at work, ironed your clothes, your majesty.

I cooked your favorite meal… and went all the way to Baguio to personally pick the ingredients.

I even went to Italy just to choose a wine for you.

I picked something smooth… because I didn’t want your taste buds to be ambushed.

I took care of Oishi—gave him a bath, fed him his favorite chicken.

You’re amazing at your job, Sus. Well done.

How do you create a marketing plan in 5 minutes and increase profit in one hour?

⸻

Those are the things I wanted to hear.

But instead…

“Sus, where is the report?”

“Sus, the customer is waiting.”

“Sus, you’re so slow.”

(Ouch. From customer.)

Then there is Oishi badoodle, barking like he personally funded the grocery run, because apparently His Royal Fluffiness is waiting for chicken and refuses to eat kibble like a commoner.

During grocery hour, the cashier looked at me like I had interrupted her villain story. I thought, she must be tired.

A motorcycle nearly ran me over because apparently sidewalks are now optional.

My name is Susan V.

And this… is my life.

Every day:

Wake up.

Work.

Work harder.

Work harder than that so I can pay rent, bills, Oishi’s squeaky toys, Oishi’s bandanas…

and Oishi’s chicken.

Come home.

Cook.

Repeat.

There has to be more to life, right?

And what is with people?

Why is everyone always in a hurry… and rude?

One time, I saw a woman throw a tilapia at her customer.

Another time, on a small tricycle meant for just two passengers, the woman had no choice but to sit on someone’s lap, because the one blocking the entrance refused to move.

A delivery man stood outside, sweating in the heat.

Inside, there were clearly people—you could hear movement—

but somehow, opening the door kept getting postponed.

I mean…

why do we treat each other like that?

🐾 Oishi narrating

Susan has been focusing on negative things lately.

And my ears are bleeding.

Because she complains. Non-stop.

I mean… girl.

Did you run out of other thoughts???

Yes, what she said is true.

Earlier, while walking, we were on the sidewalk and a motorcycle almost ran us down.

Susan got pushed to the side. I almost flew to the roof.

My life flashed before my eyes.

And all I could think was:

Not today.

Not until I eat that grilled BBQ chicken with ranch sauce.

⸻

I understand Susan.

She’s tired.

But I hope she remembers… there are still good things.

⸻

Whenever she comes home from work after a long commute, she tells me stories.

One time, she was in a jeepney.

Her umbrella fell.

She didn’t move.

Because… tired.

But another woman got down… picked it up… and gave it back.

Isn’t that something worth remembering?

👩 Susan again

Oishi is right.

Now that I think about it…

At the mall, some people greet us genuinely.

During occasions, neighbors share food.

Maybe… we’re all going through something.

Some people choose to be kind.

Some people are just tired and snap.

And some people…

still follow this:

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” — Matthew 7:12

From now on…

I will try to live by that.

Even if some people really deserve a slipper to the face.

The end. 😤

Still Rising. Still Barking. 🐾