Stories of Life

A Funny Bone

To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone. - Reba McEntire

Edgar stood outside his office building in Quezon City, adjusting the collar of his crisp white shirt. He had just finished his work shift as a junior analyst at a well-known financial firm. It was a job he had worked hard for, especially after graduating with a degree in business administration. He was proud of where he had come, but today, instead of heading home to relax, he had another task to attend to—one that made him feel a bit self-conscious.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a message from his Auntie Tessie: *"Ready ka na? We're delivering pansit bihon today, marami tayong orders!"*

Edgar couldn’t help but smile. Auntie Tessie had been his biggest supporter throughout college. She had funded his tuition fees, bought his books, and made sure he had an allowance. In return, Edgar had promised to help her with her small food business whenever he could. Delivering pansit bihon around Quezon City wasn’t what he had imagined doing after landing a corporate job, but he knew he owed his aunt more than just money. He owed her his success.

Minutes later, Edgar arrived at his aunt’s modest eatery, tucked in a quiet street in Quezon City. The smell of garlic, soy sauce, and stir-fried noodles filled the air as Auntie Tessie worked her magic in the kitchen. She was a small woman, but her energy was boundless. She greeted Edgar with a big smile and handed him a plastic bag filled with neatly packed pansit bihon.

"Here you go, iho," she said, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "Alam kong medyo nakakahiya, pero alam mo naman, kailangan ng tulong. Busy tayo ngayon, and we need to make sure our customers get their orders on time!"

Edgar nodded, feeling a familiar pang of embarrassment mixed with affection. He wasn’t ashamed of helping his aunt, but sometimes he worried about what people might think. Here he was, a graduate with a decent job, yet he was running around delivering takeout. But then he remembered the lessons his aunt had taught him, not just about business, but about life.

Auntie Tessie had a favorite quote she often shared with him, one that had stuck with him over the years: *“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.”* Edgar had learned from her that having dreams (the wishbone) was essential, but so was the strength to pursue them (the backbone), and the ability to laugh through the tough times (the funny bone).

As they loaded the deliveries into Edgar’s motorcycle, Auntie Tessie chuckled. “Huwag ka nang mahiya, Edgar. Alam mo, marami diyan, they think success is all about the money and the fancy title. But success is also about staying true to your roots, helping those who helped you, and finding joy in the small things. And besides, ang saya kaya nito, para tayong delivery superheroes!” She struck a playful pose, pretending to hold a superhero cape, making Edgar laugh.

His aunt’s words lifted his spirits. She was right. Success wasn’t just about the corporate job he had landed. It was about honoring the people who had helped him along the way and enjoying the journey, no matter where it led. He grabbed the first bag of orders and hopped on his motorcycle, following his aunt as they made their way through the busy streets of Quezon City.

Their first stop was a small office building where a group of employees had ordered pansit bihon for their late lunch. As Edgar handed over the packages, the customers smiled and thanked him, none the wiser about his day job. His aunt, with her characteristic charm, chatted with them, making everyone laugh with her stories about the kitchen mishaps she had encountered over the years.

As they left the building, Edgar felt a wave of pride. Not the kind of pride that came from his corporate achievements, but from the simple joy of doing something meaningful with someone he cared about. They continued their deliveries, each one bringing new interactions and more laughter.

At one point, they delivered to a family who had been regular customers for years. The little girl of the family, who recognized Auntie Tessie immediately, ran up and hugged her. “Thank you po sa masarap na pansit! My birthday party won’t be complete without it!” she exclaimed.

Auntie Tessie beamed, her face lighting up with joy. “Ay, happy birthday, anak! I’m so glad you love our pansit bihon. Remember to eat plenty so you’ll grow strong and healthy, ha?”

The encounter melted away any lingering embarrassment Edgar had. It was moments like these that reminded him why he was doing this. His aunt’s business wasn’t just about making money; it was about bringing people together, about being part of their lives in small, meaningful ways.

As they finished their last delivery and headed back to the eatery, Edgar felt a sense of contentment. The day had been long, but it had been filled with good work, laughter, and a sense of connection. When they arrived, they sat down together for a simple meal of pansit bihon, the dish that had been a staple of their lives for so long.

“Edgar,” Auntie Tessie began, her tone more serious now, “I want you to know that I’m proud of you. Not just because you graduated and got a good job, but because you haven’t forgotten where you came from. You’ve always been a good boy, and that’s what will take you far in life.”

Edgar smiled, feeling the weight of her words. “Salamat, Auntie. I’ve learned so much from you. You’ve taught me that success isn’t just about reaching the top, but about staying grounded, working hard, and not taking life too seriously.”

His aunt grinned. “Exactly! And remember, a little humor goes a long way. Life’s too short to be too serious all the time. Kaya nga lagi kong sinasabi, don’t forget the funny bone!”

They both laughed, the sound of their shared joy echoing in the small eatery. As they cleaned up and prepared to close for the day, Edgar reflected on the day’s events. The wishbone, the backbone, and the funny bone—they were all part of the recipe for a life well-lived. And today, in the heart of Quezon City, delivering pansit bihon with his aunt, Edgar felt he was living that life to the fullest.