Young Voice
Dollars for you
While my family and I were attending mass to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, the priest, in his homily, fulfilled a simple wish of a Filipina domestic helper back in Hong Kong. This woman's wish was to let her children know that her work is not easy.
She is a mother who, against all odds, went to Hong Kong and scrubbed floors so she could send money to her family.
This cliché tells of the daily struggles of any domestic helper, or even other overseas Filipino workers.
Every person will agree that the family is the force that gives the individual a reason to battle life's realities, including its cruelty.
What could be more cruel than poverty? Upon hearing that school fees have increased again, you're forced to seek out employment abroad. Seeing how water trickles from your roof to your floor compels you to accept a job offer in a country you never knew existed. Seeing how diabetes have pained your mother forces you to board the next flight out of this country to wipe out the poop of people in foreign lands.
Then, years later, you go home and smile at the sight of your mansion where a rickety shack used to be standing on.
While dad works under the scourging Middle Eastern heat in a construction site, little Missy back here relentlessly spends his hard-earned dollars on the latest dresses she'll wear to her parties instead of saving for her college expenses.
As mom labors through the freezing night in a New York hospital, little Johnny here spends her hard-earned money on the latest gadgets that he'll brag to his classmates.
While Nene takes care of cranky senior citizens in London, her parents continuously prod her to send more money so they could finish their mansion.
What bothers me is that some people seem not to care at all. A little appreciation and respect can go a long way to appease the difficulty that our OFWs encounter abroad.
When your mom, dad or child goes home with a truckload of balikbayan boxes, I can assure you not one of those items inside are bought out of a happy-go-lucky life abroad.
I took up Nursing to go abroad and get a high paying job, I will not deny that. But, I don't think I was forced and brainwashed by my family to provide better lives for them.
My parents told me that I should be pursuing my course not for them, but for myself and my future family. This thought fuels me to strive on the career I chose. I was not pressured but I was inspired to continue. Many others are oceans away because of pressure, yet I salute them because considering the number of years they spent in search for a greener pasture, a quarter of their lives has been taken away from their very own selves. The years that were supposed to be spent on pampering themselves and fulfilling their joys. But then again, seeing their children or their parents smile and contented with their new lives is already a fulfillment for them.
Yes, your parents and children are posing at Disneyland or the Grand Canyon as if life is as sweet as the chocolate bars they're sending back here. Better take another look.
Respect your parents and what they earn.
Appreciate your children and what they give.
Their workis never easy.
I'll prove to you someday.
(For comments and reactions please send an email to reylangarcia@gmail.com an SMS to 09186363090. View my blog at http://www.theyoungvoice.blogspot.com )