Most people think/assume that we have the best family. At least that's what stuck in my mind when I shared for the first time in a recollection I was in back in high school. I opened up and shared a bit of our troubles. Be more amazed if a family doesn't have any problems. In my case, they were surprised to hear that we had struggles as a family too.
I grew up in a very open family. We were all raised in a way that we can be open to each other and freely express ourselves. If there's a problem with one another - we discuss things and try to resolve our issues and not just shrug it off and act as though there's nothing wrong. Sorry to say but I think that's how other families deal with their problems - we on the other hand were raised to always be concerned with each other's lives. (I'm just stating my observations and this is my own opinion so I hope other families do not take offense in this since I know we all live and relate with each other differently and how you guys deal with your own families are really not that much of my business to meddle with or intrude enough to state how families should be run).
We were raised to always give respect to elders wherein we should always bless (hold an older person's hand and put it on our forehead or in Tagalog, magmano) and say po and opo. In the family, I call my older sister ate and my older brothers kuya. I don't know why but within our family itself - we don't really say po and opo to our parents. (Not that we're disrespectful to them or anything like that)
We were raised to always give respect to elders wherein we should always bless (hold an older person's hand and put it on our forehead or in Tagalog, magmano) and say po and opo. In the family, I call my older sister ate and my older brothers kuya. I don't know why but within our family itself - we don't really say po and opo to our parents. (Not that we're disrespectful to them or anything like that)
When I was growing up, I can remember how we'd always be the family who'd be called to offer in church. This was mainly because (I think) we were always dressed for Sunday mass. My dad and brothers wore polo shirts and my mom, sister, and I would be in dresses. We often looked so prim and proper (probably like those families in CLVE books hahahaha). Back then, I felt kind of famous as though our family was the star for that mass (besides Jesus Christ haha) because we were "the chosen ones" to offer and walk down the aisle. Funny, really.
Everything was perfect. How we'd regularly pray as a family after dinner and having our own customs when it came to greeting each other and saying our prayer before meals. Whenever we'd kiss each other goodbye, we'd put a cross on the each other's forehead - as to say God bless you. And for our prayer before meals, it goes like this - "Bless us oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, amen. May the less fortunate be blessed, amen." That was the part that my parents have added to our prayer. And upto this day it's really been a part of how I pray my prayer before meals. During the holy communion, we'd all line up by age. The youngest in front, but though my mom is older than daddy by two years, daddy stays at the back of us all. We all wait for each other to finish with our own personal prayers before the family lines up. We never lined up individually. Even when it meant there'd be times we'd sit apart because the church is full - we'd wait for each other - line up all together - and then after the communion just return to the seats we were from. And even during "peace be with you" parts, we'd go to wherever the other is to kiss and give peace. This is how our family was (with regards to our practices in alignment to religion and faith I think).
But not many knew of our problems. We too have struggles we have to go through as a family. My mom would always tell me that you never give up on family. No matter how difficult things get - you never give up on family. We're all grown up now and obviously have different journeys. Yet no matter how complicated and frustrating things may be - we DO have a choice to just live separate lives and not give a damn about the other - but I don't think that that's how we were raised and I much more don't think that's how God intends for us to live our lives. So NO - no giving up.
We reside in Manila. The southern part of it more specifically. And when typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines, we weren't that much affected. If even in terms of damages made by the typhoon - we have none. The Visayas region though are gravely affected. And I just can't help but feel so helpless when I watch the news. The thing I feel so helpless about isn't the material things I could offer to help them get back on their feet - but the fact that there is nothing I could do much about the emotional pain they must be going through. To have not just lost their homes ... but for others who have also lost their loved ones. The least I could do is pray for them that they get through this - holding onto God and believe that He is bigger than this huge huge tragedy.
Surprisingly enough - our family too had our own version of a typhoon. I need not tell you what it is about - but it's been really hard to keep my head up and not cry or feel my heart ache whenever the thought of the matter slips my mind. It's true though - that we need to stay strong because sometimes it's really the only choice we have left to do and be. All I ask is that people would include my family in their prayers as well. I don't blog these things because I seek for pity - I seek prayers and faith that we could get through this and still come out of this just stronger as one family.
We go through a lot. And I will always be eternally grateful to all those people who have endlessly helped my parents - my family - to get through certain difficulties. I am so thankful for these people who aren't really obliged to help us but they actually do - just because they have huge hearts. I'm amazed even with the people who don't really have much to offer - but still lend a helping hand. These are the times I feel really beyond blessed that people like these exist. I don't know why you people are helping my family out whenever we are in times of trouble - may it be because my parents have been good to you as well and you feel grateful or it is just because you have genuine concern and love for us too - whichever or whatever reasons you may have - I am very very much thankful. We are eternally grateful. Sometimes it would also surprise you how those who aren't even related to you would give more love and support than those you share the same bloodline with. May God continue to bless you people and your respective families.
Now I've mentioned the typhoon and our own version of it - it was this morning that I was reminded of what my mom would also often tell me. I googled it to recall the exact words and apparently it's from the Bible. It was taken from Luke 12:48.
It says
"But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required."
My mom reminds me this whenever I share with her my frustrations within the family and other people in my life. In my case right now, I claim that I must have been given more understanding, more patience, and hopefully a bit more wisdom to know how life goes and how I should handle it. I know I've yet to learn more - but I'm thankful enough to have people in my life who constantly remind me of God's words. For I am given more of these - much more of it will be required. God doesn't really put us in situations He knows we cannot handle. If there is something we should always have - it's faith in Him. As the old saying goes - if God brings you to it, He'll see you through it. He knows that you are capable of getting through such challenge - He believes in you so much - which means you must take that trust He has in you and use it wisely and be strong enough and bare with what He has put you through.
For those who are gravely affected by the typhoon - it must've been because God knew that these people are strong enough to withstand such difficulties no matter what. So please hold on. I honestly cannot imagine how I would ever handle the situation the Visayans are going through right now - I mean if I were in their position - I cannot imagine how I would get through it. I salute you people for not giving up on life because there really is a silver lining to this - and we have to continue to fight our battles long enough to see that silver lining. Kapit, Pilipino. Diba, tiwala lang? :')
Whoever you are and may be - who comes across and takes time to read this post of mine - I'm pretty sure you have struggles of your own too. We all do, really. Which is why we should all be kind to one another because we are all fighting different battles. If you are in a situation right now wherein you find it so hard to get through - just keep reminding yourself of Luke 12:48. You were given that much - because He requires you to do much more with it. If God puts you up to a challenge - no matter how hard it may be to thank Him, still thank Him because it just means that He believes in your capabilities that much to allow that storm to come your way. Praise Him in the storm, right?
He never places us in situations we can't handle. Never. So yes. God believes we are responsible enough - to take on this task. Just stay strong. Stay strong, okay? Okay.
Visayans, and every other troubled heart - my prayers are with you.
