The time is approaching so fast
In our unforgettable moment that won’t last
My fears that you will be gone
I am afraid and don’t know if I can.
Friendships that we share in our first met
I hope that all will never regret
For so many years of stay,
I’m too afraid to come on my future way.
Laughers, joys and tears together
Regretting the moment I wasted to other
I know it’s hard to be apart
But there’s something we need to be a part
Please don’t be sad if I leave
Because I’ll treasure the moments I received
Thinking of the moment that’s really too far
But time is indeed faster than a car.
If you miss me but I’m too far
Just say “Patar” and you will see me in that star
Oh! It’s now the time to say “bye”
But please treasure the words in my… last goodbye
"A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens. " -- Lord Robert Baden-Powell
IT’S FIVE O’clock when we had finished our last scouting activity that afternoon. All of us were worn out since we had been challenged by an extreme obstacle course.
Wounds, bruises, and mud kissing my skin -- Those were just the product of the activities we had that day. And yet, we have no more time to take a good bath!
After the activity, we headed immediately to the stream. I was washing my clothes and scrubbing my body to take away all the mud when one thing came into my mind that time... I forgot my soap and shampoo! And I have no enough time to go back to our campsite. Ang malas naman!
After that bad bath (seriously), we straightly went to our campsite and ate our dinner prepared by our outfit advisor.
“Weet!” That’s the sound of the irrating whistle again. We are obligatory to join the assembly at the covered court and must wear our Type C Uniform.
I went out of our tent when, grrr, that mud! My shiny black shoes got dominated by that disgusting mud again. I straight ahead the court for I have no time to clean it.
The scoutmasters started to speak their own experiences about scouting. Discussed there, discussed anywhere, discussed about that, discussed about this, and wrote some lectures here and there.
Next was our campfire and I’m so sleepy. I placed my notebook into my face covering my face like I’m thinking of something and started to close my eyes little by little. But wait! I remembered that we are going to have our pre-board of Review after the campfire. So I grabbed my paper and memorized the Scout Oath and Law.
The pre-board of review started around 10 in the evening. We had waited until our names were called. It was ONE o’clock in the midnight when our names had been called. There are two panels in the review. The panels interviewed me about myself. Ah! I’m sleepy and I don’t know what to say. “A…e.. “ the words I have said that time. The only thing I want to do is to sleep! Yawn! They asked about my life, my ambition and everything.
After the long hours of waiting, I will be able to sleep now. They've just interviewed me for five minutes. Exhausted and stressed, but after the consecutive misfortunes, there is always the positive one, and that’s the excitement.
As I walk around inside our little house, I saw a “reflected me” in our square-like mirror. It was strange…yes it was! Unlike the ordinary reflection that is seen by the people, I saw a guy full of questions. Not just a physical one that can be answered through looking into our outside aura but also on the deeper side of the reflection.
I undressed myself and look into the mirror again. I ask the “reflected him” – Who I am? Is this what I want? Why do I always fail… yes… why do I always fail.
I looked into his eyes. I saw his stressful works through those eyes. “I want to get rid of it! I hate it!” The words came out of my head. I realized that it’s true. I have no time for myself. I have no time with everything I want just to share and sacrifice my time for them, the time that just wasted by others. Am I stupid? His “reflected eyes” answered me, “You are not stupid! You just don’t have enough time for yourself. Do what you want! Nobody cares…It’s just you…yourself.” Clock ticks. I am who I am.
I looked into his body – his chest and his paunch. He is weak. He is very weak… physically and emotionally. He never wanted to be hungry. He eats food but not a healthy one…that makes him weak. He never wanted to be hungry in the love and understanding by the people around. He never wanted to be alone; he never wanted to be rejected or to be fooled…to down him and stab him in his back. He is weak for he is stubborn. Refrigerator vibrates. Foods are ready inside.
I look into his hips down to his feet. He can’t stand alone. His legs are hairy. There are many of them. It is annoying. He is with his companies. It is not annoying. He is happy that they are there for him. Tramping their feet everywhere together, that makes him happier. He can’t do anything without them for he is a person who wants help in everything. Footsteps are heard. Someone is coming.
I dressed myself again and look at him. The mouth says, “Strive harder!” I am shocked with what happened. The “reflected one” didn’t say those words…for it was I.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
