Weekend Special Bonding Experience: An Accident Occurred
Another weekend, another special bonding experience with our family.
We decided to eat lunch with a traditional boodle fight.
We prepared an array of delicious Filipino dishes — fried chicken, vegetables, rice, and dipping sauce — all laid out together on a long table covered with banana leaves.
Everyone was excited to eat that mouthwatering feast and eagerly dug in with our hands.
We savor the flavors, share stories of each other's busy and productive week, and enjoy each other's company.
Suddenly, amid our fun, an accident occurred.
My brother Tan leaned over the motorbike parked nearby, unaware that his finger was dangerously resting close to the foot shifter.
In an instant, the shifter accidentally tipped, causing a sudden push and a painful injury.
His finger, along with his toenails, was caught, resulting in some unfortunate damage. 😭
The mood shifted immediately as we rushed to his side.
He cleaned the wound, as we comforted him while nursing his injured finger.
It was clear that Tan's toenails had been torn off along with part of his finger. 😭
That's why a lot of blood is starting to flow.
My mother, ever resourceful and knowledgeable, looked around for something that would stop the bleeding and protect the wound.
Remembering the healing properties of malunggay leaves, she reached for a fresh leaf from a nearby malunggay tree.
Here in the Philippines, malunggay leaves are known for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making them an excellent natural remedy in situations where modern supplies aren't immediately available.
My mom washed the leaf with clean water to remove any dirt.
After that, she began crushing the leaves with her own fingers, pressing and mashing them until they released their juice.
As she continued, the greenish juices oozed out, and then she gave it to Tan to apply directly to his injured finger.
As the green pulp touched the wound, Tan winced. At that moment, I can also feel the pain, even though it's not my wound. 🫣
Next, to keep the leaf in place and prevent infection, my Dad tore a strip of cloth from an old t-shirt, and carefully Tan wrapped it around his finger, securing it comfortably and not too tightly.
The improvised bandage stabilized the injury, and I felt grateful for the resourcefulness of our family in times of need.
This weekend, though the accident was unexpected, the love and support of our family made the day memorable in its own way.
Until our next meal... Buh-bye. 👋✨
