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The Balloon Seller...

In the heart of the Al Yarmouk church neighbourhood, there is a man selling inflatable balloons on the side walk. With a broad smile on his face - he is a true beacon of hope, always spreading joy to all the passersby as they make their way for the weekly Sunday service.


Surviving on meagre income from the sale of balloons, he often greets us as we make our way  for the service. He never fails to enquire as to our health as he greets us though we never purchase any of his balloons. 


Days and months have gone by as we have kept meeting him every Sunday evening before mass. One day, as we entered the church gate - I was as usual on the lookout out for him. The spot was completely empty - a blank pavement with passersby coming to and fro from the church.


At that moment, I was in a state of thoughtfulness. I wondered where this individual could be or where he may have gone. Weeks and months passed, and we could still not see him. We then decided to keep him in our prayers - hoping that he would be safe if he may have gone back to his hometown.


After a couple of weeks - we heard a very familiar voice. A voice saying - " Hello sir - how are you doing? Alls well by God's grace". At that moment, I jumped with joy. I knew it was the balloon seller. I greeted him - feeling elated and beyond grateful that he was alive and back in town. He stood there with a hand on his heart, exclaiming with great joy on seeing my happy face.


From this experience, I learnt that it is entirely upto you on how you choose to keep yourself happy despite your circumstances. Just like the balloon seller- despite his meagre earnings chose to greet the passerbys with a smile as he was selling his balloons to keep going, in the same way - there are numerous possibilities on how we can keep ourselves content and happy with the limited means we have.




Comments

Anonymous said…
Treasure trove of a very interesting article on humility.
Good perceptions, indeed!
Well done Bryce
April 5, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Anonymous said…
This is a beautifully written and heartfelt piece Bryce!
April 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Anonymous said…
Very beautifully describe on humanity, Bravo keep up the good work Bryce
April 5, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Anonymous said…
Heartwarming Bryce! Orlando wants to know if he's the same balloon seller who won the Dhs 1 mill Abu Dhabi lottery.. glad he's back! Saad, at the corner bakala where we buy kulfi after Mass calls us "his parents". Our "son" better not disappear.😐
April 5, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Anonymous said…
Have also noticed the balloon seller and the smile on his face. A good lesson in being positive no matter what. Enjoyed reading your piece Bryce.
April 5, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Anonymous said…
WOW! written so well and you being so young could sense that inspite of everything happening to him, his radiant smile at each passer by captured your young heart to write about him.
April 7, 2025 at 4:09 PM
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