Struggle in Life

Life is just a cycle. There are better days and bad days. It always come and go. But how long will it last?

I grew up in a poor family. I have three siblings and we grew up happily without having more like other childrens do. Our parents raised us very well that even we are scolded on our mistakes, they never heard a word or two from us (unlike the children nowadays). We are taught to be down to earth no matter what.

We went to school without a penny yet we are happy and have our walk each day as enjoyable as ever. We love going home after school while it rains because we love walking under the rain and drop by some fruit trees where we can eat some for free. Being less and not rich was not a problem. We never felt pity on ourselves and live within our means.

Then when we become teenager and went to secondary schools, our parents have a hard time because we are having problems financially. We can eat three times a day but our meal is always the same. We have egg and dried fish for breakfast, moringa (malunggay) soup at lunch and dinner. If have an extra budget we can have extra fish at meal. We are used to it and never complain. Sometimes we buy noodles and sardines. But I remember that we can only have some canned goods if a relative or friend gave us. Luckily, we survive without getting hungry.

We learn house chores at an early age. We know how to wash our own clothes as early as 7 and cook rice using charcoal. It is indeed a big help for us. Our parents never need a nanny for us because we grew up too fast and responsible. We have a tight budget just to survive a day though our parents was too calm for us not to notice the problems they face. We never even heard them have a quarrel at home.

Until we finish school and have work. Then each of us have our own family. We might not be all successful but we try to help each other and stay in touched. Though we are now miles apart, I am in Central Visayas while they are in Northern Mindanao separately also.

However with technologies nowadays, everybody can reach out like you are talking too close still. Thanks to innovations, we can still cry and laugh out loud seeing each other.

Though at times when I feel so down, I hid and cry. I do not want anybody to worry what I have been through. Since I was a kid, I am really an aloft. I do not tell all but manage to surpass depression and a suicide attempt that even my family never knew. I am the silent type but after having a job, I evolve and slowly out to be witty outside my shell.

Thus when I have now kids and my own family, I experience the struggles in life where I had to hid those problems behind this smile and went to work like nothing happens. My colleagues just learned something in my life that makes them asked, "how did you handle it?". I just said, I do not know how long will this life's narrow road last and I cannot stop because I am tired. I need to be strong and strive harder to survive this part of my life so my family will never give up too.

As I always believe, there is always a rainbow after the rain so as the sun rises again after it sets. Life is full of ups and downs. A truly roller coaster ride, but all we have to do is keep our balance and never lose track. Our ups and downs mold as to how we go through life. Bad days may last too long or just a short period in our life, just have faith in God. When you are about to give up, bow down and pray, He will guide you to light your way.

📷All images from Unsplash

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