let's dance (no reason to feel down)

I have often asked P and T why many people on the Singapore MRT who listen to fast, loud music aren't swayed by their tunes. Whereas I will most likely to be seen at least tapping my feet when I listen to music. I guess I just don't understand how others can just passively listen to fun beats and be like a statue. But then again to each his own!

Last night, I boarded the usual North-South red line at about 5:30 PM. I started praying the rosary, as I do every day now, to and from work. My journey takes about 40 minutes so I have more than enough time. It's my way of thanking God for His blessings which I really try not to take for granted. I sometimes also ask God the same silly questions I ask my sister and husband and I know God listens. I find that God has a wonderful sense of humor!

Anyway, when I pray I usually close my eyes. And I only open them when I need to check the station or if I am distracted. On this particular trip, I chanced upon a young passenger. She had a red untucked shirt on and had light blue jeans and rubber shoes. Her attire bulked her up even more but that all seemed trivial to her. I saw her as she boarded the train on Braddell. I closed my eyes again. A few seconds later, I opened my eyes because I could sense some fumbling around. As I peered, I saw the young girl fixing her MP3 player, tossing her earphones around her neck and then I heard a fast, cool tune suddenly play. To my amazement, and to everyone else's, our young train-mate suddenly moved her feet, swayed her hips and danced!

It was such a refreshing sight! Was it guts? Was it just temporary insanity? Was it plain self expression that pushed her to do so? It didn't really matter because as we all looked, our young dancer was clearly taking life by the reins and decided simply that she was going to dance! My seat mate and I looked at each other and smiled. That young girl wasn't just being happy - she was relieving the rest of us, tired and weary workers, of the day's toils and troubles. She was just a breath of fresh air. And though weird at first - she was truly a welcome blessing to us all.

I tell you, everyone was smiling after that girl left a few stations later. She left just as she came - fumbled again, this time packing up her player and then going to the door to wait for it to open. And just like that, she disappeared into the Singapore rush hour.

She had her back to me the whole time. However, when she was putting her player inside her big grey back pack I saw a glimpse of her smiling face. Our young dancer had Down syndrome.

I dedicated my entire rosary to her. She showed me real freedom today and I so admire her for that.

I wish you all well. God bless you always. May you happily dance any day, everyday. Just because.

XOXO,
K

*******

I stumbled upon this as I was cleaning up my Outlook personal folders yesterday. And as I read through the letter, I was once again touched by how that young girl managed to remind the passengers as well as myself (being the reader of this story) of a valuable life lesson.

Once in a while we should loosen up. Put on a pair of headphones. Turn the volume all the way up. And dance like there's no tomorrow.

The short of it: have fun. At times, we forget to do so.

DISCLAIMER. This was an e-mail sent by an acquaintance who resides in Singapore, slightly edited to be fit for publication. I hold no responsibility should the content of this letter be found fabricated or excerpted from other readings.

POSTSCRIPT. This letter made me conduct a further research on Down Syndrome. Here in the Philippines, the Down Syndrome Association Of The Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI) aims to help children who are afflicted with the said condition as well as their family by providing awareness and promoting understanding to everyone through various programs the latest of which was "Happy Walk" held last February 17 at SM - Mall Of Asia.