Ang aking asawa na si R at anak na si Amelie

(My siblings and I grew up not seeing much of my father. He worked in the US merchant marines and managed to go home only twice a year. Needless to say, we grew up not knowing who he really is. Until he retired two years ago, we got all the chance to know each other and catch up on lost time.

Not discounting all his efforts, hard work and sacrifice to give us a good future, I knew then that the setup is not something that I would want for my own family. I want my child to see much of her father as much as she sees me.

I am happy that my husband’s work does not require him to travel a lot and be in another country. That is one blessing that I am always grateful for.)

Lumaki kami ng aking mga kapatid na hindi nakakasama ang aming ama. Siya ay nagtatrabaho noon sa US merchant marines at nakakauwi lamang ng dalawang beses sa isang taon. Lumaki kami na hindi namin sya nakikilala. Hanggang mag retiro sya dalawang taon ang nakakaraan at doon pa lamang nagsimula na kami ay mabuo bilang pamilya at magkakilanlan.

Bagaman malaki ang hirap at sakripisyo nya sa paghahanap buhay sa ibang bansa, alam ko noon pa na hindi ganoon ang gugustuhin ko para sa sarili kong pamilya. Nais ko na makita at makasama ng aking anak ang kanyang ama.

Masaya ako na ang trabaho ng aking asawa ay hindi nangangailangan na sya ay magbyahe ng malayo at mamalagi sa ibang bansa. Isa yang pagpapala ng Diyos na lagi kong ipinapagpasalamat.

May isa pa akong lahok dito, sana ay makapasyal kayo.