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A sign of hope, a lesson learned

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  • Originally published July 7, 2008 at 9:28 a.m., updated July 7, 2008 at 9:28 a.m.

The lesson for any individual, especially a 10-year-old youngster, can be devastating. And sometimes when one believes that there can be nothing else more disastrous, something catastrophic occurs.

On the other hand, sometimes for some unknown reason, just as one is about to hit bottom, a new beginning presents itself.

Such is the case of Juanita LaGuna, who was recently bestowed two valuable lessons that should give her a better understanding of the world.

In her childhood innocence, she could not imagine or understand why or how something like this could happen to her. Especially when she had committed no harm to anyone or anything. She was just being a child when she parked her bike on the front porch of her home where she lives with her mother.

To her disappointment, someone took the liberty of taking that bicycle, for whatever reason, from the porch on June 11. In a June 26 Victoria Advocate story by Rubi Reyes, “Donations puts a smile on her face,” Juanita’s mother expressed her disgust and disbelief “..that someone would take a bike in broad daylight from my porch.”

More appalling to Juanita’s mother, Katherine Martinez, was that someone would steal from a child. She took it upon herself to write a letter to the editor to warn others of what could happen with no expectations other than ridding herself of some frustration.

However, to the surprise of Juanita and Martinez, part of their disappointment was dissolved through the efforts of an anonymous donor who was moved by the letter to the editor.

Their disgust of the cruel incident was conveyed with a message through the Advocate, “I don’t think it’s right for people to steal from children” and “We just want to put a smile back on her face.”

What could be viewed as a sign that a time when society seems to have become callused, against those needing a helping hand, there are those who have the heart to look the other way and give. With no request for recognition or a payback, they extend a helping hand to those less fortunate or those in need. Even more impressive, in this case, is that this donor couple was only one of many that called with a desire to help out the little girl.

The “thank you” they receive is payment enough. As a whole, we should echo the words of Juanita, “...thank you to the people who bought this bike.”

Juanita has experienced two sides of society, and this realization of the bad and the good will live with her through a lifetime. Maybe she will better understand that she should be more careful and more responsible, and maybe she, too, will become like her benefactors and help others in time of need.



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