I am so depressed today. I have to write it down.
I missed that golden opportunity of finally seeing my son in the Philippines just because I was not able to answer my mobile yesterday morning.
We have a critically-ill Filipino patient in our unit, and for the last months, there has been a plan to send him back to the Philippines so he could retire there. He needed a nurse to accompany him on his flight going back to the country.
My co-nurses in the unit felt that, in case the patient will be transported, I can escort the patient going to the Philippines because they all know about my story of me having a son born after I came here. They sympathize with me, and although everyone wants to escort the patient because it’s a rare opportunity of going home to the Philippines for free, they gave way to me so that I will be able to see my first-born son.
I was out in the town yesterday evening buying some grocery when one of my co-nurses, X, called me and told me that the patient will be transported on Friday, but somebody else is escorting the patient. He asked me what was happening coz everybody knew that I was the one chosen to accompany the patient. I told him that nobody informed me about it. He said that our unit manager has arranged in the morning for the flight of my other colleague, Y.
X was so concerned that if I am not going with the patient, then he should be the one to transport the patient because they have some unwritten policy in the unit that Filipinos in the unit should take turns escorting a patient going to the Philippines. But since I have a reason for coming home, my co-nurses was giving way to me even if I am just a newcomer in the unit. X argued that Y should not be the one who should transport the patient because he was the last one who just recently escorted a patient going to the Philippines.
I told X that I do not know anything about the arrangements done in the morning. X said that he’ll speak to our unit manager and get back to me in the morning.
This morning, I called X. He said he was able to speak to our unit manager and he found out the story. Our UM was trying to call me in the morning because she knew that I was the one chosen to accompany the patient. But apparently, I was not picking up the phone. I was just home yesterday morning and I don’t know why I did not hear my mobile ringing. I was probably in the bathroom or in the kitchen. I saw the “missed call” sign later during the day but the number registered a landline I did not know from where.
And since our UM was in a hurry to get somebody because she needed the passport details of the person who’s going to accompany the patient, so they could book the plane tickets. She was unaware of the “escorting turns” policy so she just called Y, who gladly accepted the offer.
X was disappointed that Y accepted the offer without question, knowing the he just escorted a patient, and that he needs to give way to others who have not done it. Anyways, that’s another side of the story.
After the phone conversations with X, I decided to call our UM. My call was not to insist myself that I should be the one to go with the patient. I called her to apologize for me missing her calls yesterday morning. She said she was sorry too.
It was a depressing morning for me. If I did not miss the call yesterday, I could have been the one escorting the patient on Friday. I could have been the one who’s going to the Philippines. It could have been my chance to see my family, especially my son. It could have been a rare opportunity to finally embrace my baby even for a short time.
But I missed that chance. I usually answer my phone calls and try not to miss them. So for me to miss a very important call was a rare instance.
For now, I just try to make myself believe that the trip was not meant for me. I guess I should do something to keep myself busy today, since I am still off and I am only working tomorrow evening. I do not want to dwell on these negative feelings.
I think I’ll just go to downtown and get myself a nice haircut 🙂
Gosh dude, you made me teary-eyed again! I felt your sadness, too! I think the trip was not yours coz if it’s yours, God will surely find a way for you to answer your phone. But then you missed the call, so God probably does not want you to have it. We may never know what His plans are for us, but He knows better. That’s for sure!
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hey bro! don’t fret about it anymore…you’re right, maybe the trip wasn’t meant for you. you’ll have your other chance…. chin up and smile okei?! God bless!
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cheer up, nel! one chance might have slipped away but there are so much blessings in your life that should be thanked for. i hope u feel better about it the soonest!
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get over it, man! life is too short to be spent on being sad! keep your faith!
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yeah hon, they’re all right… our perfect time for u to see our dear inigo is yet to come… that missed opportunity might just only give us a quick savor of togetherness and that maybe God didnt consider that a so much great moment for us to cherish… inigo’s truly growing smart and sweet baby, your few days of being here might not be enough for inigo to show u how much he loves u and make u feel that he’s so proud of having u as his father… remember that God knows the best plan… it’s not that big chance that u’ve missed indeed… and yeah i know u’ll get over that negative feelings…”ako pah!” as you always say… onting kanta lang yan hehe… just take care always… inigo and i love u so much… you’re truly the best dad!… we miss u so much…
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thanks guys for the words of encouragement. i really needed them!
thanks hon for dropping a few notes here. u know very well why i felt so sad about me not getting the trip. i just want to be with you and inigo even for a short time. but yeah, the short time may not be worth it. i might get a heart attack coming back here coz it will be very difficult to leave. love u always!
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that’s the spirit, dude! you have other blessings to be thanked for! don’t let negative feelings overpower you! life is good, man!
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That is life, boi! We don’t usually get all that we want even if you made all the effort to get it. Missing your trip does not mean it’s the end of everything. Life goes on and the perfect time to see your family will come. God bless!
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Thanks, Marcus and N. Patrick!
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gee, that’s too bad! but yeah, maybe it’s not worth it! forget about it and move on! people reading your story felt your love to your son, and that’s the best part of this story. cheer up!
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Thanks, Suzzy!
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korek! dont dwell on negative feelings…
Life is short..make the most out of it..
thats life anyway..
For sure hindi ka na masyado nadadala ng negative feeling kasi you have you family with you..
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Sometimes crap happens, but God makes things happen for a reason. 🙂
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Agree with with Pearl..evertythings happen for a reason..
..and look at you now and your family..Vacation galore togetherness di ba..
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ganyan talaga ang life mag sad stories but happy ending din naman gaya ngayong on vacation mode kayo di ba? 🙂
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ay sayang, pagkakataon na sana…pero noon yan kasi ngayon eh, magkasama na kayo hehehe
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nice haircut or going to the mall right? 🙂
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you know what they say, there’s a reason for everything. Did you see your son already?
Advance happy Father’s Day to you.
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Oh yes. He’s actually with me now. I have taken my small family with me here in the UAE. Thanks for digging my old post. And thanks for the advance greeting 🙂
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