The Fifth Commandment of Yaweh

“Honor thy father and mother”

That’s the FIFTH COMMANDMENT of God according to the Bible.

One after noon when I arrived home I saw my mom with other neighbors talking to an old woman, who looked either a beggar or crazy because she’s so dirty (and smelly according to mom), in front of the chapel beside our house. I didn’t mind them though, instead I went home and watched T.V.. When my mom went in the house, I asked her ‘who’s that woman and why were they talking to her.’ She said, the woman was a vegetable vendor. She came from Tupi and soled her vegetable there but unfortunately, her money was stolen from her so she walked from there(Tupi) to our place. “Anways, Kagawad Barrientos will take her home.” said my mother. “Poor old woman.” I added.

The next morning when I woke up, mom told me that the old woman was still there. She also asked me to give the her food to eat for she(the old woman) might be very, very hungry. I hurriedly went to the kitchen and got her food. I gave her the food and she softly said thank you. I asked her where she live and why was she there. She said, she’s from Marbel(the term we call the Koronadal City proper)…and that she’ll go home after the mass. There I learned that she was not crazy. I also gave her coffee.

Three days had passed and the old woman was still there in front of the chapel. Whenever a person offered her to go home she'll just nod…but when someone carries her and her things to a vehicle, she’ll go angry. There were people also who gave her money for her fare but she didn’t dare to live the place. Whatever things or problems she may had we didn't not know. But one thing I am sure with, the woman is lonely--not literally lonely though...but lonely in the sense that she has no family to take care of her...guess she was abandoned...

After talking to her, I felt pity for her. "Does she have family? Where are they? Are they looking for her?" i asked my self. I cannot imagine my parents looking like that of the old woman when they grow old. Parents should be loved and valued. When they grow old it’s our responsibility as their children to take good care of them just how they took care of us when we were still small. It’s not really necessary that we give them material things. Just some attention and they’ll be okay...and if you don’t want our parents be like that old woman, thus, we should honor them and gave them importance.

Three days after the old woman left the our place. We don't know where did she go...if she went home or just find another place again to be her temporary home.