A long but touching story of "Andoy"

I received this story through e-mail a very very long time ago. Just in time for Christmas and with the Santinos and the Bro’s…

Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, Philippines there lived a fourth grader
boy named Andoy who would follow this route to school everyday. He has to
cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are
recklessly driving to and from. Once passed this highway, the boy would take
a short cut by passing by the Church every morning just to say Hi to Jesus,
and faithfully say his, “Magandang umaga po” in Bicol dialect. A Priest, who
was so happy to find innocence so uplifting in the
morning, was faithfully watching the boy.

“Kamusta Andoy! Papasok ka na?” (”How are you Andoy? Are you off to school?”)

“Opo padre…” (Yes, father) He would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be
touched.

The priest was so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy, “From
school…”, he advised “do not cross the highway, you can pass through the
Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road… that way I
can see that you are home safe.

“Thank you father.”

“Why don’t you go home? Why do you stay in this Church right after school?”

“I just want to say “Hi” to my friend, Jesus,”

The priest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking by
himself, but the priest hid behind the altar to listen to what this boy has
to say to his heavenly FATHER.

“You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat - although
my seatmate is bullying me for notes … I ate one cracker and drank my
water, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker. Thank you
for this! I saw a poor kitten that was hungry and I know how he feels so I
gave my last cracker to him … funny but I am not that hungry. Look, this
is my last pair of slippers … I may have to walk barefooted next week….
you see this is about to be broken. But it is okay at least I am still going
to school … some says we will have a hard season this year and some of my
classmates have already stopped going to school. Please help them get back
to school again, please Jesus? … Oh, you know, Inay had hit me again, it
is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a
mother … Jesus, you want to see my bruises? I know
you can heal them ….here… here and….oh … blood … I guess you knew
about this one
huh? Please don’t be mad at Inay. She is just tired and she worries for the
food in our table and my schooling that is why she hits us… Oh, I think I
am in love … there’s this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita …
do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like
me, I don’t have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best
friend!

Hey your birthday is two months from now! Aren’t you excited? I am! Wait
till you see my gift for you…. But it is a surprise! I hope you will like
it! Oops, I have to go…” then he stood up and calls out,

“Padre, padre, I am finished talking to my friend. You can accompany me to
the other side of the road now”

Everyday this routine happens without fail for Andoy. Father Agaton shares
this every Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a very
pure faith and trust in Jesus, a very positive look at negative situations.

One Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it to Church,
he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would
chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour would not smile and always find
fault in what you do. They are also very well versed in cursing if you
irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosary when
Andoy, coming from his Christmas party, playfully dashed in,

“Hello Jesus! I….”

“P—-! (a curse) bata ka! Alam mo nang may nagdadasal dito! Alis!”

Poor Andoy was so terrified, “Where’s Father Agaton? He is supposed to help
me cross the street…. And to be able to cross the street I will have to
pass by this church … not only that, I have to greet Jesus. Today is His
birthday and I have a gift right here…. Just as he was about to get the
gift out of his shirt, one manang pulled his shirt and threw him out of the
church.

“Susmaryosep! (does a sign of the cross fervently)
Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!” (”Get out of my sight kid or you’re gonna get it!”) So the boy had no choice but to
cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church. He crossed.

There was a blind curve. A fast moving bus came in. The boy was protecting
his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time.
The bus hit Andoy and he died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the
lifeless body of the young boy.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man wearing a white shirt and pants, a
face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears. He came and lifted the
boy in his arms and he was crying. The curious bystanders nudged the man in
white, and asked,

“Excuse me sir, are you related to this child? Do you know this child?”

The man, his face mourning and in agony answered, “He was my best friend.”

He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloody chest of Andoy and placed it
near his heart. He stood up and carried the boy away and they both
disappeared in sight. The crowd was bewildered.

The next day, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He immediately
visited Andoy’s house and wanted to learn more about the man in white. He
asked Andoy’s parents.

“Do you know the man who took Andoy?”

“A man in white brought him here.” sobbed the mother.

“What did he say?”

The father answered, “He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not
know him and yet he was very lonely at our son’s death as if he knew our son
very well. There was something peaceful and unexplainable about him. He
brought my son home and then he smiled gently. He rubbed Andoy’s hair away
from his face and kissed him on his forehead. Then he whispered something to
Andoy.”

“What did he say?”, asked the priest.

The father began, “He said to my son… “Thank you for the gift … I will
see you soon… you will be with me forever…”

Andoy’s father continued, “You know for a while, I felt so wonderful. I
cried, but I do not know why. All I know is that I cried tears of joy. I
could not explain it, Father. When that man left, something peaceful came
over me. I felt a deep sense of
love inside. I could not explain the joy in my heart. I knew my boy is in
heaven now … but … tell me father, who is this man that my son talks to
everyday in your church. You should know because you are always there…
except on the time of his death.”

Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling
knees, he murmured, “He was talking to no one…. but….JESUS.”

If you love this story please pass this on to your friends, I just did!