Did I Fall in Love on the Jeepney?
Be Careful, You have to Read Carefully!
Last week I told you about my fateful Jeepney ride. I was coming home from my trip to the city. When I got on the jeepney, I passed my change to a young lady who was sitting behind the jeepney driver. I didn’t pay the girl much attention. Many thought “Did Bob fall in love on the jeepney?”
Later on the jeepney ride, I looked her way and realized something about her that caught my eye. I ended up paying attention to her for the rest of the Jeepney ride.
Was I in Love on the Jeepney?
No, not at all! I was not in love on the jeepney! A lot of people jumped to that conclusion, though. I found it funny that not very many people left comments, but a LOT of people sent me an email or messaged on Facebook. They were concerned that I had fallen in love on the jeepney while Feyma, my wife, was out of the country in the United States!
I never said I was in love, or that I had a romantic interest in the young lady. Not at all. I was not in love on the jeepney!
So, why was I so attentive to this lady?
Well, I did not notice when I first looked at her, but the second time I looked at her (from a distance), I noticed the uniform she was wearing. A lot, perhaps a majority, of people in the Philippines, wear a uniform for their jobs.
I recognized the uniform!
When I saw her very distinctive uniform, I knew exactly where she worked! Well, I thought I knew, more on that later.
2016 Heart Attack and Bypass Surgery
In June 2016 I had a heart attack. In November 2016 I had a quadruple heart bypass. I almost died. Most regular readers will remember that.
Having lived through the surgery, and had made a great recovery, I go back to the Mindanao Heart Center to visit my medical team on a fairly regular basis (3 or 4 times per year). It is very important to me because I feel a special bond with the people that saved my life. I enjoy seeing them and visiting with them.
My recovery
As I mentioned, I Have made a really great recovery. I have lost 210 pounds now, and still going. I am very healthy. I had diabetes for 25 years, and I no longer have diabetes! If you want to follow my health journey, visit my other blog, 430ToFit.
Another reason I like to visit my medical team at the Mindanao Heart Center is that I like to “show off” how well I am doing. I feel that showing them that shows them that their hard work in saving my life was a good investment of their time and effort.
Now, back to the Jeepney
So, I saw that this young lady was wearing the uniform from the Mindanao Heart Center! I did not recognize her, though, but I wanted to meet her and talk to her. Just touch base. She lived very near to where I live, and I just wanted to meet her, because of the special connection that I have with SPMC Hospital and the Mindanao Heart Center.
I rode past my Jeepney stop
My jeepney stop came, and the lady was still on the Jeep. I decided to keep riding. I like to walk, so I would just walk home from where she got off of the jeepney.
Just a kilometer or so, she got off the jeepney, and I followed her. When we were both off of the jeepney I said “Excuse me”, “Miss”, and so on, but she kept walking. I rushed behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.
She turned and smiled at me. I said, “Can I ask you a question?” She said, “of course”. I asked her “Do you work at the Heart Center?”
Her reply? “No, I work at the Kidney Center.” Huh? “Your uniform is the Heart Center uniform.” She said.. “oh, yes sir, our uniform is the same as the heart center!”
Oh well, that was a surprise to me, but I was glad that I followed her. She was nice and friendly. We parted ways and I walked home.
Who was the girl in the picture?
A lot of people wrote to me and they assumed that the girl was standing with me in the picture is the girl from the Jeepney, but I never said she was on the jeepney. No, she is a nurse at the Heart Center. Her name is Jan. Jan was the person that was at my side when I woke up in the ICU. Jan and I became close (and Jan is close with Feyma too) during my stay at the hospital.
What did Feyma think?
Many people have warned me that Feyma would be mad at me. Surely she read the article, I was warned!
No worries. I had already warned Feyma about the article before publication. She knew all about what happened!
Remember, everything I said in last week’s article was completely true! If you thought I was cheating on Feyma (or tempted to do so) you just had some unhealthy thoughts! But, I never said it!
Hope you enjoyed the articles… both parts!
haha I liked it! A little spice in the Philippine life!
LOL, glad you liked it! Were you one of the ones who thought I had fallen in love? 🙂
Bob;
When we go through a traumatic situation like that we do form bonds with the people that were there with us. When I go into the Bay-Pointe Hospital where I spent 4 months in 2016 I still see the folks that treated me. My favorite was the kid that brought my meals, he knew I couldn’t eat them so Mayang did. I saw him six months ago in a hallway, and he shouted,: “Mr. “T” you’re still alive” as he hugged me.and Mayang. The relationship is forever.
It is nice to hear from somebody who understands, Paul. Happy Birthday, BTW!
You are so right, the relationship is forever!
Same can occur in the US. I was in a near-death experience with bleeding ulcers in 2012. In a hospital in Kirkland, WA I was served by a lovely young Filipina nurse for part of my needed care. Throughout the time there, she would stop by to see me four or five times a day. She had the sweetest smile and warmest touch as she always held my hand. As I began to feel better after the difficult surgery, it became obvious that she closed her eyes, held my hand and said a prayer. God obviously had brought this person into my life just at the right time. Although not too often, I have kept in touch with her and assisted her with some US problems. It is interesting how our needs are met at just the right time.
Beautiful story Stephen. Thank you for sharing that it really does mirror my experience
Bob I feel the same way about the Doctors and Nurses here in Cebu at Perpetual Soccour Heart Center. I made allot of friends with the nurses as they wanted to practice their english. So thankful to be alive after my Severe Heart Attack
It really causes a deep bond, Alan! I am so happy to be alive!
LOL good one Bob !
Glad you enjoyed it, Bob! 🙂
I had no thoughts that you might have had THAT kind of a relationship, but I was anxious to hear the rest of the story. Your area of influence covers such a large area, it could have been anything.
You know me pretty well LeRoy. Over the years we have had a lot of interaction. You would be surprised at how many people thought that I had a girl on the side. LOL
Thanks, LeRoy!
Nice story! She’s definitely a looker too!
LoL. As i said in the article the picture it is not the girl that was on the jeepney.
Great story Bob! I find it a cool article to read,..I enjoyed reading it. !!
Thanks glad you enjoyed it, John.