Sampaguita Necklaces

Click here to view the image that prompted this story.

The old woman looked up at the smiling boy with stars in her eyes and a smile playing in her lips.

“Didn’t think you’d remember, hijo,” she said gently, as she lovingly touched the petals of the sampaguita necklaces he gave her.

He nodded at her and, with a little bow, ran off. She slowly walked back into the house and draped the necklaces around the statue of Mary on her little altar. The rustling echoed throughout the quiet room.

She took out her rosary from her pocket and was about to pray, when she heard a beep from the phone her daughter gave her during her last visit many months ago. She fumbled for her glasses, then held the screen as close as she can to her eyes.

“Happy birthday Nanay! Sorry I can’t make it today, but I’ve been so busy at work…”

She shook her head, placed the phone back on the side table, and faced the statue she adorned with sampaguita necklaces. Kneeling before the image, she began to pray the rosary.

–

The image is Sampaguita Vendor by Beinvenido Sibug. Image source: jennysserendipity.com/2015/02/11/artist-profile-qa-with-master-bienvenido-boi-sibug/
First written April 2, 2018.
#177