Three Girls

by Marianne Elizabeth Somboun (Canada)

Making a local connection Canada

I was in Manila; the warm sun beat down on me. My mind flooded back to memories of Brazil as a child, as I saw all the children on the streets. My senses overloaded I managed to zoom in on three girls who were selling garlic. Their smiles were electric and enthralling. Saying nothing to them my heart called me to them. I curiously walked up to them asked my friend was asked to translate as I inquired what they were selling. She explained to me that they were selling garlic. I bought some garlic and went merrily back to the house I was staying. I thought about them and their smiles. I recalled I loved shopping with my mother as a girl. I wondered what life was like beyond their little garlic stand. I then made a conscious choice to go back. I realized the garlic was not sustainable. I decided to have a shopping excursion with three small girls. They had a smaller sister that was begging on a sidewalk. My heart twisted. How long had it been since she was hugged? I then instinctively picked up the three year old and we walked into a massive store that sold both clothing and food. I walked in with a tiny tot in my arms and two that skirted around my feet. I had my friend explain they could get one outfit each and as much food as they could possibly carry. I hugged them all. They were happy. A few months later; my friend told me and said, “Those three girls ask about my Canadian friend.” I always said, “Please tell me hi for them.” I think about those three girls often. Yes, my trip to the Philippines was amazing, it was not the fine dining, or the cruise from Cebu to Bohol or the amazing motorcycle ride through lush jungles that flashes my memory back to hot sun and amazing beaches, but three small girls whose smiles are brighter than sun itself. My heart forever whole but a bit but Manila owns a part of my soul forever and I live in their memory forever.