Soul Highway

Surreal day

Ever put yourself, intentional or otherwise, in a place that shocked you that you don’t even know what to say or think in those first few seconds? I believe my personal education of life in America has really began. I knew that in the days to come, as I get to know this country and its people better, I should be prepared to be either amazed or shocked. Well, I wasn’t quite ready for what happened yesterday.

So here it is: We went looking for a family doctor and wound up in an abortion clinic. Big deal? For a Philippine-born and raised Catholic like myself, yes it was. As in I could picture my grandaunt crossing herself three times in horror if I were to tell her this story. (As a sidebar, my grandaunt is one of those rabid, I mean intense, Catholics I know who compelled us to recite the rosary every night prior to going to bed even if it meant mumbling the prayers in half-awake state.)

But back to the clinic. Nothing about it would have betrayed what the place really is for. It looked and even smelled like any other doctor’s clinic. Until a receptionist told us that we were in the wrong place. Me: eyes wide, mouth agape. After recovering from the initial shock, all I could say was, “Oh.” The receptionist casually directed us to where we should have gone. Wow.

Now, I do not intend to sound sanctimonious. Trust me, I am one of those Catholics who, if we speak out openly about our religion and its imperfections, would get a good dressing-down from our more devout brethren. I do not want to sound hypocritical either. Even if more than 90 percent of the Philippine population is Catholic, abortion is very much taking place, from the smallest barrios to the biggest cities. I recall reading an article last year about abortifacients being sold right outside a Catholic church in Manila with the full knowledge of the priests running the parish.

I also know of people who have gone through the procedure and I do not pass judgments on them. My stand on abortion is quite flawed and a conversation with The One following yesterday’s incident was a real eye-opener. It was one of those conversations that make me think – and rethink – my opinions on certain things. Bless him.

So, the experience was quite surreal, but a learning experience nevertheless. I think I will even tell my family to shock them a bit.

Posted by fleur at November 2, 2006 12:24 AM