Time Apart

March 15, 2011

It’s the first time in our marriage that my husband went away for one week.  I thought that I’m not going to survive such long separation but for the first four days I was doing fine.  It was like as if my whole body was ready for it and my mind was making me busy with attending to my kids and doing some writing.  And I was thinking that maybe this separation time was great for us to also have our own individuality.  So off I went with my everyday tasks of doing the laundry, doing some cooking, writing a few articles and taking care of our two sons.  

Then the fifth day came and I was having a heavy heart.  Maybe because I’m missing my husband already or maybe I just don’t want to feel alone.  I went to buy some groceries and usually my husband would follow there after work so we could go home together but that day was different.  It was like as if the thought of him being away had already sunk in and I had to admit I can’t take it.  With so many miles in between me and my loved one was not for me.  

For those husbands and wives apart from each other because one has to work far or abroad, I have to say that I salute your courage to take such challenge.  But I realized that it’s not for me.  We both promised that if one goes out of the country or move somewhere then the family goes too, no matter what.  We do not want to experience ourselves the life of being not together.  

Oh it would be a nice thought to have high income with a spouse working abroad.  However, I would give up those comforts as long as we are intact.  I am willing to sacrifice some things just so I can be with my family.  I don’t want to dwell on thinking of what it would be like if we are distant from each other.  

This is my choice of life.  Life is short so I’m investing my time on family relationships.  I want to have a close family.  I’m not saying that families with a parent working away in a distance are not intact for some have healthy relationships even if they are not together.  All I’m saying is that I like the way things are going right now with my family being all here in one place.

So for those families with a member in another country to give a comfortable life back home, don’t despair.  You chose to have a life like that.  You are a willing participant to such a life.  Stand by your decision.  In the end, all the things you have let go to have a life of financial abundance for now may be worth it.  As for me, I’ll work my ass off where I am sitting so I can contribute to give a little ease of burden on my husband’s part as he is the family’s breadwinner and do as much as I can to spend time with my little kids who are growing very fast by the minute.

From a Concerned Mother

March 29, 2011

video

I just added a link to the video if a 6 year old boy who joined a mini game in the show of Willie Revillame as we all know Willing Willie. Amidst the laughter and cheering of the host and audience, you can clearly see that the boy never cracked a smile. The whole time that he was talked to by the host, his facial expression was somber. And when the music was giving him the cue to start dancing, he started crying but he still danced on. Sad to say that Willie, the audience and even some viewers at home was enjoying at the expense of the boy's humiliation in national tv and now the world. Fine, he was doing it for his family because he earned some money dancing away. But dancing the way he did was utterly diminishing what little dignity he had. It was simply below the belt. And Willie continued to embarrass the boy by letting Jan-jan dance even after the talent portion and mini show was finished. For the life of me I cannot understand the boy's tita cheering him on for a mere hug and P3,000 Willie gave her. Was that the worth of her self-respect? And P10,000 was the boy's life worth?

Did they not think even for just a second what if it was their own son doing such dance? What was going on their minds while applauding for the boy?

I am a mother of two sons and they love to dance. But not the dance that Jan-jan did. That kind of dance is seen in night clubs and for adults only. Or maybe I am just trying to overlook that these kind of shows have sexy dancers doing the same dance on prime time television. That's why as much as I can I check the shows that my kids watch. For Jan-jan, it was his father and his tita who taught him such dance. I can't judge them harshly as life may be harsh to them to do such desperate moves to win some cash to augment their daily living costs sacrificing their child for a few minutes in a show. Is that what these shows push the people to do? Losing their dignity just to have some easy money. To those who are willing it can be but to do that to a child is such exploitation and harassment. People may dismiss it and forget it someday but for Jan-jan he will bring that memory to him until he grows up and I fervently hope and pray that it does not define his future.