Happy to make others happy
I READ An encounter with an unforgettable passenger (Heart & Soul, Star2, Sept 30), and I must say it tugged at my heartstrings. I, too, had many experiences in the past that made me feel a lump in my throat.
I met this man who is about the same age as me at the rehabilitation centre where I used to take my mum for physiotherapy about 10 years ago.
He had suffered a stroke and had to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
We had a good chat, and he said I was very lucky to be able to walk. That made me realise how fragile life is and we must not take our health for granted.
His hair was long and it was hard for him to even go for a haircut, given his predicament.
I offered to cut his hair (I am a hairdresser) the next time I visited.
So, the following week, I went to cut his hair.
He was so happy and thanked me profusely when I told him there was no charge for the haircut.
Then the Indonesian maids at the home where he was staying at asked him if I could cut their hair as well.
Not wanting to disappoint them, I said I could, but it would be chargeable.
Knowing that their salary would not be much, I brought down my price to only RM10.
This thing carried on for some time until the man passed away. I continued to go and cut hair for the maids.
Soon the residents, too, requested that I cut their hair, and I obliged.
One old lady aged about 80 years asked me if I could cut her hair for RM6.
I was reluctant at first but soon gave in to her request. I was thinking since she could afford to stay at a home for the aged, she could afford to pay me but was just stingy.
We chatted while I cut her hair and I discovered that her children sent her there and seldom visited her. They didn’t give her enough money to spend. When I finished cutting her hair, she took out some notes and unfolded them to pay me. At that moment, it hit my soft spot and I told her it was okay.
She was overjoyed and, when I saw the look in her eyes, I knew it was the right thing to do.
I have not stopped going all out to make other people, even strangers, happy until today – and I shall continue to do so until my last breath. It certainly makes my day!