I was not born with a silver spoon.
In fact, I wasn't born with any spoon at all. I remember being poor. But I don't remember how it feels like to be poor, I just remember being loved. Looking back to where we came from, I grew up with hand-me-downs and that being treated with a slice of pizza would already mean the best day ever.
We also didn't have a house of our own, so it's no surprise that we moved quite a lot. From one church parsonage to another to the squatters area in Claveria to the shady slums of Piapi Boulevard to the outskirts of Puan, it's not a wonder living in those dog eat dog communities that I developed this astig (badass) personality. However, I was raised well. My papa worked two jobs, he's a church pastor and also a government employee. My mama, a public school teacher, who had to work to a far-flung area also sold ice candies and yemas for extra. We definitely had tough times. We almost had nothing but like I said, we have LOVE.
We were financially challenged. My parents were even mocked for sending me to a good school knowing they cannot even afford a new pair of jeans. But it never stopped them from working hard in achieving their dreams for us. You know those rags-to-riches success stories? My parents' story is pretty much the same. Except we're not Henry Sy rich, not even close to a Bo Sanchez kind of rich. And it's not as dramatic as Oprah Winfrey's. But their hard work, sacrifices, determination, and grit definitely paid off. We were driven away from the slums and it allowed us to live a life in comfort.
But more than just providing us with the needs, wants, and luxuries any child could ever ask for, my parents never failed to teach us the value of humility and they have always reminded us to look back to where we came from. And I am forever proud and grateful for that.
Today, I found myself watching this video that tugged at my heartstrings.
My papa, who now works as a caregiver in California (who also happens to be a volunteer pastor there) and my mama, a public school teacher and an entrepreneur, are just like anyone in that video. Ordinary people who have done simple and ordinary things that oftentimes go unnoticed, and are honestly, not appreciated. Their day to day activities or those simple gestures may seem like "just an act of doing their jobs" to others. But for me, as ordinary those people are, I know each person is going through something and definitely has an incredible story to tell. So I guess it wouldn't hurt if we give a wee bit of a second of our time to thank those people around us for the little things they do, would it? AirAsia's #ThankYou video is moving and on point. A simple thank you lightens up the mood, transcends to the core, and uplifts the spirit. It definitely does go a long long way.
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| We can find and give gratitude even in the mundane. |
And just like AirAsia's low cost rates that provide world-class services, I would say my parents' ordinary lives and ordinary jobs also go way beyond the ordinary. Their steadfast dedication and hard work to be able to provide us only with the best despite all those hardships taught me to APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS, to always LOOK ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE, and to look back to our past as it has always, ALWAYS KEPT ME GROUNDED.
Honestly, I am not even close to my parents to be writing this. But while looking back how we had a hard life about twenty years ago and how we've made it so far to the life that we are accustomed now, I realized that they deserve more than just a simple thank you for being my greatest inspiration and the wind beneath my wings, and this blog post will be my tribute to them.
Ma, Pa,
Thank you for showing me what hard work and dedication looks like. For showing me that nothing that is rewarding comes easy. For pushing me to my limits and encouraging me to never give up on my dreams. Those countless hours of blood, toil, tears, and sweat really does pay off.
Thank you for guiding me to where I am right now. For showing me what it is like to be loved. For giving me love in its truest and rarest form that no matter what obstacles and challenges come our way (not to mention how rebellious I was), love tramples them all. Words will never be enough to express how grateful I am to have parents like you.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I LOVE YOU.
Love,
The prodigal daughter you never gave up on
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| From the bottom of my atay! Because you know, my atay is bigger than my heart. :) |
Here's to a grateful 2017!
31 Comments
Awwwww... This is so sweet... Happy new year to you and your family! :)
ReplyDeleteOur Darling Sarah, we love you so much, everything that we have , anything that we can do, We'll give them and do them for you for the simple reason that from thevery first time that you came to us and onward WE LOVE AND CARE ABOUT YOU SO MUCH. We wish you all the best in life from our Lord this New Year 2017. -Papang
ReplyDeleteKudos, sar! I didn't know this side of your story. Ang alam ko lang mukha kang yagit pero mashock na lang kami sa laki pala ng bahay nyo. Nagtagalog jud ko. Puliki oy. Hahaha
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Sar! Thank you to your parents too for bringing you into this world and raising you well, enabling you to write this piece. And somehow reminding us to always be thankful to our parents and be grateful for whatever we have! Cheers! Fly higher in 2017!
ReplyDeleteSo inspiring...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful message of thanks :)
ReplyDeleteHappy new year sar and family. Stay as humble and God fearing as you are. Continue to inspire others through your passion in writing.
ReplyDeleteIndeed God is good...Your story surprised me and reminds me of the sacrifices of our parents... your past experiences mold you into who you are now. Keep it up, stay humble as always and continue to be an inspiration to others. Happy nEw Year Sar and fam!!
ReplyDeleteBoth your parents are an inspiration sarj. And so are you. Thank you for writing this piece. It reminds me that we should always be thankful for our parents. They give us more than what they have.
ReplyDeleteYour story is one of the many stories we have already heard but only a few of them ever get thanked for. Thank you for sharing your story. Continue inspiring people with your writing.
ReplyDeletesort of parehas tag parents sar, maski walay kwarta kaayo gipa skwela ug gwapo na skwelahan ug gina provide-an ug tarong.
ReplyDeletewe're blessed to have parents like them. :)
- gravity #1 hahah
I honor your parents Sar for raising you so well. ^_^ naka benefit mi ani jud.
ReplyDeletePraise God for thr gift of parents jud kaayo. Thank you for writing this <3
Aw!! Thank you for reminding us sar that our parents will always be our hero. God bless you and your family sar. Happy new year!!
ReplyDeletethank you for this. muli mo pong pinaalala na dapat nga tayo magpasalamat lalo na sa mga magulang natin para sa mga sakripisyo nila sa atin. continue writing po. lagi kayong nakaka inspire miss sarah!
ReplyDeletebilang magulang masarap makabasa nito galing sa anak. your blessed to have them. they are blessed to have you.
ReplyDeleteI'm not one to go touchy feely with my parents, pero makahuna2x ko nila and the stuff they had to go through for us with your post. Makes me want to hug them din. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post sarah! Totally can relate. I can never thank my parents enough for just everything.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year 😊
I'm so touched by your story, Sar. Now that I'm a parent myself, mas na appreciate pud nako ang mga efforts sa akong Tatay & Nanay sa una. We will always find a way to meet the needs of our children. All the best for 2017! :)
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring, Sar! Maka relate jud ko. We're not rich, but I'm blessed to have parents who will do everything just to give us a comfortable life.
ReplyDeleteGood read, a parent's love is definitely unconditional. Happy new year to you and your family Sar!
ReplyDeleteawwww.. kasweet sar. And read your papa's comment.. makahilak!! Happy New Year Sar and more blessings to you and to your family.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful message, Sar. Today, here and now is the best time to say "Thank you" to our parents and show them our love and care. Like you, I want to give it back to them, make them happy every moment of their lives. For all the sacrifices and hard works they have done, they deserve all good things in the world :)
ReplyDeletenapangiti ako ng graphics, napatawa ako ng humor and napaiyak ako sa message <3
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time you I am moved by your piece miss Sarah. The first one was when you made me make up my mind who to vote for. That was a really brilliant one. This time, I am truly saddened. If only if was not too late for me to thank my parents, I will. I am really sad because I took them for granted when they were still alive. I know it's too late for me but I hope anyone who can read this will be nudged to be thankful for their parents.
ReplyDeletePS: Your poorly illustrated drawings still amuses me. Keep it up.
naiyak ako sa message. mnsan hndi natn maintindihan ang pagpapalaki satin ng mga magulang natin pero ang ginagawa nila para lang din sa atin. god bless you ms sarah and ur family.
ReplyDeleteThis is another good read Miss Sarah. I am not sure if this is a contest or if you are trying to promote Air Asia because it feels like that. But everything else that you said felt real. Thank you for always being an inspiration. Kudos again for another well-written piece.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on winning!
ReplyDeleteThis entry made me cry by the way.
DeleteThank you everyone for your undying and overwhelming support! :)
ReplyDelete