”Ma, Milo!!” A couple of years ago my mother would hear this from me 7-10 times a day and only 2-3 times would she grant my favor. Back then I was too young and innocent to make myself a hot cup of chocolate milk for myself (see lazy). I was also too young and innocent when my parents separated. My father was a very sickly man. He had allergies for responsibility and would catch colds every time money was discussed. Biogesic wasn’t strong enough to eliminate his migraines whenever significant decisions for the family and major adjustments had to be made. Since my mom (and/or my dad) couldn’t find a quick solution or remedy of some sort, they decided to call it quits and separate. Their marriage didn’t last long and this has shaped a very large portion of how I view life. To me, parents are like utensils. The mom being the spoon and the dad being the fork. Eating is always easier when you use the spoon and the fork. In the same way that life becomes more understandable and convenient when you grow up with a complete set of parents. There are some things a spoon can’t do that the fork can. On the other side of the fence, there are some things a fork can’t do that the spoon can brag about. It takes much longer to eat with only one utensil. Needless to say, the spoon and the fork work hand in hand. It’s always better to grow up with both figures by your side. I, on the other hand was raised by a beautiful and headstrong spoon. We, together with my moms own utensils (my grandma and grandpa) make-up a family. I have come to acknowledge these 3 people my own ”basic unit of society”. I grew up alright. I’ve been enrolled to good private schools, I wear nice clothes and eat okay food. But unlike any other stories (especially the ones we see in Maalaala Mo Kaya) I’ve had my times. Just like the sun, poverty sheds its light to everyone and only the ones with umbrellas (the rich people) are spared from the ”grueling heat” poverty has to offer. I’ve been through rough times and rainy days. And believe me, those days were rough. Right now, my mom is working overseas and I just learned she won’t be able to attend my graduation rites. I don’t blame her. I can’t. She is after all striving hard for me and our future. In my 16 years of existence I can honestly say I’ve learned life lessons that will last forever. I’ve learned that once your born, there’s no turning back. You will have to face life as it is. You cannot choose your parents and you cannot choose where you come from. Being born is not an option for you. When you are born, you are born and that’s final. You cannot complain. Well, you can but if you do, it will be held against you. I also learned that holding grudge against someone affects your performance as a whole. Whether you like it or not, it will show. This I learned from my physics teacher who can’t seem to handle herself. When she scolded us one time, she mentioned how an individual can still grow up well-bred and ‘principled’ despite coming from a broken family. ”So what If I don’t have a father?’ She continued. I was surprised that she was courageous enough to get down and dirty to the extent of being so personal. What she said hit me hard because among all my classmates, I am the most visible product of a broken family. She also told us that if she holds grudge on someone, she holds it for so long. She said to us that she hasn’t been talking to her father who she shares a home with for months! No wonder she’s been acting…uhm…not professional, To say the most. Personally, I’d rather not know where my father is, than to know where he is and live under one roof with him and not talk to him. My self-confessed father-ignoring physics teacher is a living proof that if your heart contains intense anger against someone, it will really show. So I always bear in mind to be forgiving and grudge-free in order for me not to end up like her. I pity her. She will always be in my prayers. The line ”So what if I don’t have father?” still plays in my head. True, I grew up without a father. But I grew up fine. Make no mistake; I am not trying to put him in a bad light. I am never going to forgive him because there’s no need to. I am not angry with him. I love my dad and I miss him. Wherever he is, I pray that he’s happy. The next lesson I learned is to never have sex unless you’re married and financially stable. ” Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim: 22) For one, God intended sex for marriage. And for two, you’re not just going to suffer the consequences it may bring, you might actually contribute to over population. You will be bringing forth a new human being and make him face a world struggles. Wait until your sure your ready. That way, you can assure your future child/children that they’ll grow up with great parents. And the last lesson I want to talk about is poverty. Yes, I want to talk more about poverty. Oh, I’m sure everybody hates poverty. I’ve learned to just accept it because, whether we like it or not, it’s here to stay. Unlike people who curse the president and badmouth the government, I prefer to just write and pray. Crying in front of a television news crew won’t do any good. I’ve learned that poverty strikes faster than vanity. People need money. So what’s the fastest way to earn? Prostitution. Next to that is working abroad. Poverty makes you ignore family virtues and embrace working overseas and making money. Forget Christmas and New Year; forget graduation rites, people need to earn! Nowadays it’s money that makes the world go round-not love. When was the last time you heard a guy rush into the airport and with all his might and strength tries to delay an airplane’s flight just to tell the girl of his dreams who is on board he’s sorry and wants a second chance? When? Yeah, I don’t think so. But when’s the last time you heard a group of burglars rob a bank? When’s the last time you heard someone was sent to jail for stealing? Life’s difficult. Indeed it is. Having said all these, I can say I’m blessed. I’m blessed to have a family I can call my own. I’m blessed to have a loving mom who works hard for me. And most of all, I’m blessed because Jesus Christ died for me on the cross to save me from going to hell. At the end of the day, I guess its what and who we have that matters the most. What do you think?

Advertisement