swiftly she enters the shoe store
the fragrance of Sampaguita 
wafts in the atmosphere
a vendor with bare and filthy feet
with some wounds in her legs
she begins selling the flowers
until a lady notices her
much to her amazement
the lady requests her 
to fit one of the slippers.
as the vendor leaves the store
with a smile that touches a heart
the lady thought of her
good deeds and
another opportunity to help
another
but the lady slowly feels
the tears begin to flow
as she has been on
the lowest point in her life
thinking of the many things 
she wants to achieve
quite afraid that she will run out of time
and maybe she will not accomplish them all

 this time her eyes are flooded with tears

she thought that she is able to help the vendor
but it turns out that 
the vendor makes her realize
that her real purpose on earth is
not to gain achievements,
recognition, awards, promotions,
material things and many more
for self-gratification and self-love
but to live for the Lord’s purpose.

                                                                                                              ~ Dr. Luzviminda Rivera

                                                                                                                   Tarlac Province, Philippines