Joy is a mother of 6 kids, 4 boys and 2 girls. Her eldest is already in Grade 12 while her youngest is only 2 years old. She works as a helper to the family of Mrs. Cruz, wherein she needs to report there 3 times a week. Sometimes she would bring one of her kids to work and let him/her play with the grandkids of Mrs. Cruz.
Before she starts working, Mrs. Cruz would invite her/them to have a breakfast first. During their first time working with this family, Mrs. Cruz felt sad and pitied Jr, 8 years old, Joy's son when he ate so fast as if he had not eaten all night. She asked Jr if they had breakfast before going to their house and this poor young man said, 'No Nanang, we don't usually eat breakfast we just drink coffee and then play'. No wonder why at 8, his body still looks like 5 years old, so thin and small for his age. After breakfast, Jr played with the kids then after a while, he was looking for his mother and was asking permission if he could eat the biscuit left in the table. Mrs. Cruz saw it and so she offered it to him.
One lunchtime, Mrs. Cruz asked, how's her husband and who take care of her kids when they left home for work. And Joy said, my eldest took care of them and I already prepared their lunch before I come here for work. My husband at the moment has no work because the company he was connected with was already closed due to bankruptcy. All he do is drink and drink and when he gets home he'll try to harm me and the kids especially when I can't give him money.
One day, Joy came rushing to Mrs. Cruz's house asking for help because their landlady was driving them out of the apartment because of a wrong report from their co-tenants. Sadly, the landlady believed them and they have no choice but leave as soon as possible. Mrs. Cruz felt sorry for Joy and for the kids and give them help by asking her friend's vacant house to be their temporary home. Where was Joy husband in all these? He was actually busy, yes, busy thinking that Joy has other man. He was busy being jealous of nothing but his self made ghost. That instead of helping his wife and his kids with their transfer, he was busy drinking and then come home picking a fight that he almost killed Joy. Good thing his eldest son was there and he kicked his father then they escaped. They went straight to the barangay and reported himand now he is in prison. Joy did not hesitate to do that because she is already fed up with his false accusations, for being an irresponsible father and for the danger that he always brings.
Joy and her kids nurture their temporary home. They plant some vegetables, create a pretty garden and her kids are happier and more at peace there. They are no longer worried of a drunk husband and father at night, they no longer need to escape in the middle of the night because of a threat of danger.
Sometimes, Mrs. Cruz will bring groceries, sack of rice and even vitamins for the kids. Joy is very thankful for the generosity and genuine love and help of Mrs. Cruz and her family to them. Now, aside from working with Mrs. Cruz, her kids also help her sell cooked food in their neighborhood. They no longer drink coffee in the morning because they can now afford to buy food to complete their meals; 3 times a day.
Mrs. Cruz admire Joy's strength, determination and love. Despite the hardship of life, she never stops, she never gives up. One time Mrs. Cruz asked Joy where she get all these, she smiled and said, Mrs. Cruz I have my faith and I know that God will always be on our side protecting and helping us.
Thank you for reading and God bless us all.
Keep inspiring. Keep smiling.
Lead image is from Unsplash.
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I hope that there would be more Mrs. Cruz in our world today. And I hope that there would also be more Joy who would stand up for her rights and leave their abusive husbands.
Konti na lang malapit na din ako sa tuktok 🥳