I was chatting with one of my friends in FB yesterday and and she was interrupted as she got a call from my sister-in-law. And she told me, "there's a message for you. For me?" I asked? "What is it?" She's informing that a distant relative's wife passed away and they wanted to let me know. I know what was that mean.
Over the years, a lot of people have come to my life asking for assistance. Friends, relatives, acquaintance and family alike. I try my best to help in any way I can. It may not be in the form of money all the time but in some means and sometimes it works out well. I give my time, energy and I try to connect people. And I am happy. I don't mind helping as long as I can do it. And why not?
However, there comes a point where I don't know where to put myself feeling frustrated and helpless as almost everyday, I receive messages from people I barely know or sometimes even don't know asking for monetary assistance.
Well, in the first place.....I am now a plain housewife and no source of income. I must admit that the time I was working, money was a bit easy and I was free to give and spend where I wanted. My hubby that time didn't mind me. But the situation is different now. And I keep telling them that it was not the same as it was used to be. But it seems that the message was not perceived or understood.
I know it is not easy to disappoint people but there comes a time when you say....."hey, I am not ATM!"
I know, I am not the only one who's got this kind of situation. Oftentimes whenever I talk to some Filipino friends here in Tahiti or anywhere I go.....we always come up talking the same thing. People back home think that money are easily grown on trees.
No sir/madame, that's far from your perception and imagination. We are like anyone else. We have bills to pay, we have house mortgage, cars, tuitions and other financial responsibilities to deal with each time the paycheck arrives. Just be grateful when something is given because that is a hard earned money.
I just want them to understand that if I fail to give, it is not because I don't want to give. It is just that I have limited means and I am not an ATM!
