Gratitude In The Face of Adversity

    Shown on the TV's Filipino channel (TFC) a couple of months or so ago was the routine of a fisherman trying to survive and support his family from whatever he could catch via his diving and spearfishing skills. He makes about 40 Pesos (about one U.S. dollar) a day, with which he buys rice, some salt, or maybe the cheapest ramen noodles available to feed his wife, his 2 or 3 children and himself.  Then, the next morning (when or if he awakes), he must be up and about and go diving/spearfishing again. You cannot hear him gripe or groan that Vita is Dura. He sees the sun is up.  No storm clouds in the sky. In his mind, he could picture himself catching a big, big fish and bringing home maybe 80 Pesos (about 2 dollars) this time for his family. He steps out of his ramshackle barong-barong with his fishing gear onto the narrow alley where the strong fragrance of dried fish being fried by his neighbor reminds him that his wife also wanted to have tuyo once in a while. With high hopes, he hurries on. He has one whole warm sunny day for fishing.    THANK GOD!