August 07, 2013 was the date for me to remember. It was a normal and lazy day at home. After my siesta I woke up at 5pm and took a cold bath and as I step down on the last stair step, piles of shoes were down there and because I don't have my buddy which is my eyeglasses, that I left in front of our television set, so my eyes were blurred. I thought that what I stooped down was a black shoe. It was so soft and furry so I felt so comfortable on it. Since I was so busy squeezing my wet bath towel, I really didn't recognize what that furry thing was and at the back of my mind it was just this usual old dirty flat shoe. I continue to move forward. I just then knew that what I stooped down was a living thing and not an object when I heard it's small crying voice. It sound so helpless and in between life and death situation. When I look at it I was so shocked that it was a very big and weak rat that I victimized. I felt so sorry for my left foot's fault and at first I didn't feel the pain of the rat's bite but as I saw my very own blood that comes out from my skin, that was the time that I was awakened, that both of us are victims of our carelessness.
The rat was weak to run so fast as he or she saw me coming. I was so careless not to recognize him or her. I didn't know how he or she escaped from my cruel left foot. I went quickly to our bathroom and just let the blood flow on my left foot which has two rat bites on it. It's teeth were as big as a rabbit. After all the blood flowed in , I wash my wounds with water and soap. I almost put a vinegar and garlic on it because I was too shocked and I don't know what to do. What comes in my mind is the rabies. I don't wanna die young! I am so assuming but yes at 28 I am still young. Thank God my father was on the rescue with his Betadine and cotton balls that he lent me to clean my wounds. I waited for an hour when my mother arrived from work and then we went to the hospital. For the first time in my life, I know how it feels to be injected not just once but for five times and now I know that this is not the usual injection play that me and my nephew baby Shawn always play here at home before, now it is for real and it is required by the doctor, just to make sure that the rabies is gone. Aside from it is painful in my pocket. It is emotionally draining. After the injections, the usual symptoms are fever, flu and dizziness. After all of this not so good experience, comes an eyeopener that life has it's own way of surprising us. Mine was not a good surprise, but as I look at the other side of the picture, It opened my heart and mind up that to live is a thing of beauty.
Out of boredom and because of some frustrating experiences in my life of course aside from the joyful ones, I sometimes think that it was better if I wasn't born here on earth for this world is cruel at times. I always long for easy things, for a life of paradise and for all good stuffs. This rat bite was a lesson that I know God would want me to learn that I need to be extra careful on my daily steps and decisions in this life. I need to be grateful for the small and great things that He gave me. I was fortunate to be alive. Good things come to those who wait. After my rat bite a lot of job interviews are up for me but most of the HR Officers would laugh at me if I told them that I will be available this September since this August I am busy for my anti rabies shots because I was bitten by a rat. It was frustrating but somehow funny. This circumstance made me believe in the power of patience, waiting and in the power to lift up everything according to God's plans.
Human as we are we have our own plans, five, ten and many years from now but then I've come to embrace the fact that these are nothing if it is not aligned with the Creator's plans for us. Now I learned to take things slowly but surely at a time. No rush in life. Just live in the present day for the promise of tomorrow is not assured yet. This rat bite made me to be more kind to myself. It made me realize that I love myself more than the money. No amount of money can trade for our lives. Life is so important and it is the best gift that God ever gave us. Let us live life to the fullest. Aside from these, it changed the way I look at the rats. They are hardworking and wise little creatures.
Rats are cute and adorable, and the one who bit me was just fighting for his or her life since I stooped down on his or her fragile body, accidentally. My respect for these rats are still intact. They fight for their lives. Work hard each day to have their foods and are still one of the wisest animals that God ever created. I also learned a lesson from them. Although the wounds that I got are deep and painful, but it is a very kind lesson that taught me more about the beauty of life. I will still continue fighting and struggling in this life but like the rats I will be very wise enough, to fight for my life. To live life each day with joy and simplicity.
Hats Off to that rat who bit me. I don't know if he or she is still alive. I felt so angry on him or her at first but now, I have mercy for that little creature. I pray for his or her life. If he or she is dead already because my weight is really for sure, a burden on his or her soft, small and fragile body. If he or she is dead and if animals have souls, I know he or she will have a lion's share of cheese and a bonus of bacon for him or her in heaven or since that rat bit me, he or she will have his or her share of grilled cheese in hell. Just Kidding! I seriously pray, that the poor little rat was still alive now, for sure his or her family still needs his or her help in putting some of his or her hard earned morsels of foods on their little table. God is so good! Life is so precious to be wasted. Let us live it happily and with hope like the rats who live life each day with simplicity and hope always and before I forget it, I was born on the year of the RAT. How ironic life could ever be?
Photo Credits To:
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