Like I said in My Top 3 Ultimate Moments of Happiness Part 1 post, I encountered my second happiest moment about 10 years ago, back in 1998. I was nineteen and we just immigrated to the US to New York City. We finally moved to NYC for a couple of reasons: #1 our petition finally got approved, I think that process took 13 years. And #2 my mom would be able to continued her cancer treatment in NYC with out leaving us behind in the Philippines.
I remember one day, I accompanied her across town to see a specialist. We talked to her doctor for a little bit and I translated their conversation for them, even though my grasp of the English language was still so-so. After her doctors appointment we took the bus back to 1st Avenue. I was sitting next to my mom and the bus filled up with passengers as the bus made its stops. On one of the stops an elderly man, probably 70-ish, came on board and had to stand in front of us because there were no seats left.
As the bus started to move forward, I looked around and the bus was pretty much full. The older gentleman looked so frail and no one was giving up their seat so I slowly got up and offered my seat. I believe the conversation went something like this:
Me: “Here you go please take my seat.”
Older Gentleman: “Oh thank you, but no I am ok.”
Me: “Oh it’s ok, I’ve been sitting all day, Please sit down.”
Older Gentleman: “Why thank you.”
(He looks at my mom and points at me.)
Older Gentleman: “This is a fine young man you have here. You should be proud of your son.”
My Mom: “Thank you.”
I looked at my mom and she had that look of pleasant contentedness. And she smiles at me as if she saying “I’m proud of you.” knowing that she raised me right. I felt “that feeling” again, and you know what, I think at that time my mom felt “that feeling” too. We got off the bus and my mom held my hand as we walked back to the apartment, it’s incredible how something as simple as giving up your seat can represent so much more. This completes part 2 of My Top 3 Ultimate Moments of Happiness.
#3 of My Top 3 Ultimate Moments of Happiness happened here in Chicago, read about it in the next edition of Life Fridays.
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Eric,
If this story is for sale I think you will have a lot of buyers. It’s nice to know that chivalry is still alive and not just a myth. Thank you for living it.
Hi Mary Rose, thanks for the pat on the back.