“It paid us back so much beyond our imagination” - Reviews IAM Group Limited (Ltd.) Yokohama Japan

I was privileged enough to have attended a gathering of the members of IAM Group Limited (Ltd.) while I was vacationing in Yokohama, Japan.  I was never aware that such group existed, they even gave me the website where I can go and check it is at http://i-am- groupltd.com.  I found out that they have so many members from other countries in Asia, like in Korea, Thailand, Bangkok, Singapore and Malaysia, they also have some members in the Southeast of Asia.

Most of the stories they share were doing acts of kindness to people they don’t personally know of.  Simple gestures of sharing, to giving monetary assistance to the needy.  I was inspired and my hope that we can make this world a better place to live in, sparked.  Still, many people are out there, spreading goodwill to mankind.  I was compelled to share my story, hoping it will inspire others the way they inspired me.

I remember when we were young, life was so hard, a family of seven, my parents really tried their best to keep ends meet.   I remember waking up in the morning, with my two brothers, with no breakfast on the table, we would spend the rest of the morning at the street playing with our neighbors.  As kids, we did not mind it, because, we had long hours to play without adult supervision.

We had no breakfast prepared because both of my parents, had to work in the market.  They leave our house early in the morning at around 1a.m., but my dad usually goes home before lunch time, to prepare our meal before going to school.

We rented our house, we have no television, sometimes we have a refrigerator, sometimes we don’t, we were provided with material things that we really need.  Non essential things like spare shoes, spare bags and others, we don’t have.  I remember, we don’t have our own toys,  but that did not stopped us from enjoying our childhood.  We made toys from scratch.  We had bottle caps as plates, stripped old newspaper as paper money, and plant leaves for food.   My parents always taught us the importance of handling the hard earned money, and that it should be spent wisely.

We never celebrated any birthdays.  When my siblings receive citations in school, that is the only time we are able to drink soda.   But we happily celebrate New Year’s Eve, at midnight, we would shout with joy to welcome the New Year, my elder sister would prepare seven sticks of hotdogs and seven sticks of meat to be barbequed, for me the main event of our feast was a can of fruit cocktail, which my mom would proudly open and pour its contents in a bowl.

But I remember, when I was young, I could hear my parents talking, because, one of our neighbor was asking for financial aid, we didn’t have enough money then to share.  The money my parents had was just enough for us, but still my parents helped that neighbor of ours, I heard what my father said, “God will help us tomorrow, I know, because He does not forsake those who are helping the needy”.

Through the years by being frugal, our family was able to stretch its monthly budget , my parents hardwork resulted to us having our own house and lot, we were able to finish our schooling.  Now that our parents are old, and are no longer capable of working early in the morning we decided that it was our turn to give back what goodness they have given us.

During the time my parents were making ends meet, they never had for themselves the opportunity to buy expensive material things, jewelries, appliances and even the latest in clothing trends.  Now, because of their old age, we decided, for them just to stay home and make their selves busy with what makes them happy.  We told them not to worry anymore about their daily expenses, for we will be the one providing them.

My sister, who is very good in fashion and in shopping, always makes it a point that when she comes home to visit our parents, she always has a bag for each, or she takes them with her and go to malls for shopping.  My brothers, having a blessed life, are the ones providing for their daily needs and allowances.  They have their own car, which we all shared for.  We always make it a point every New Year, we have a celebration at our old house, and schedule an out of town trip for everybody to enjoy.  Above all of these, my parents always remind us to thank God for all the blessings in everyday life and not to forget all the lessons we have learned when we were young.

At first our parents were very hesitant receiving our gifts for them, my father said that this is not appropriate, for we don’t have to give these things to them, but we said, it is our turn to somehow give back the goodness and kindness they have given us through all the years, and we really couldn’t repay them, for no amount of money can equal the sacrifices they have given to our family. 

With regular gatherings, we also share our stories to our children, we pass on to them our experiences, that in life, you must first strive hard, and at times strive even harder, and always be ready to give and share the blessings you received.  I am thankful for the best gift my family can have.  A very supportive parents and I learned to looked back that we may not have so much, but we have enough in our daily needs are reasons due to my parents open hands in helping others, gambling their own savings to share for the needy.  Their number 1 common commandment in helping when finding reasons if this person really need one’s help is �" never turn back one’s hand for those who needs help about health or are in hospital already.  Somehow we should always find ways to ease their worries - “It paid us back so much beyond our imagination”. 

Reviews

[Frank]

HI Dulce, I enjoyed reading your work very much. If it is true you know that you are the most blessed people to have accepted such poverty of materialism and yet have learned that love is a gift more precious than diamonds.