My Family and My Passion in Life Makes Me Happy
Family Comes First
First and foremost, my family is everything that I have. They're my priority in everything that I do. They're my most precious jewels and it's priceless! Giving birth to 5 beautiful kids in this world is the best thing that ever happened to me. I haven't had a real family when I grew up. I felt like an abandoned child because my mother was not beside me and my grandfather entrusted me to my uncle's family. Perhaps they thought that I will be groomed to be a good individual in the near future which was in contrast to their expectations without their knowledge. My young body was trained to "hard labor" at early age and working like the other maids at home. They said that it was a form of discipline such as doing the household chores, gardening, washing the dishes, etc. That included being bullied by my 3 cousins near my age and nanny to my cousin's kids. I was young and innocent and did all my tasks without complaining. Bedtime was a great relief to me when my aching back touched my bed. At last, I can rest. My other cousins did their tasks though I do more. Oh well, anyway, I can have a fitful sleep at last! In my dreams, I often dreamt of my mother. I was thinking out loud why I didn't grow up like my cousins with their parents? I cry whenever my younger cousins bully me as their "sinagup" meaning "adopted". I was like a working student so I could go to school with free provisions. Yeah, that was it!
When I got married, I vowed never to depart my kids with me because I don't want them to experience what I've undergone during my childhood. We were gifted with 5 beautiful kids and that was one of my happiest moments. My husband and my kids became my world. My life revolve around them. At last, I have a family I call my very own! But there is no such thing as perfect marriage, right? Despite of it all, I still held on to my kids no matter what. Sad to say, I lost my eldest daughter @18, and next was my eldest @32, 5 months after my hubby's death. Life is not fair yet I still thank God for the borrowed life of my kids. It's God's will. My daughter left behind a son and now a sailor like his grandpa and happily married with 1 daughter. My eldest son left a son and he's now a graduating grade 12 student. The remaining three are also successful in their respective chosen field of profession. They call themselves as "The Last Men Standing"! What more can I say but be thankful for for all the trials and challenges that made us stronger to face whatever circumstances that lies ahead of us. My kids are my priceless jewels and I promise to myself that I will be there for them no matter what.
My Passion
I guess some of you already know my what my passions are. Anyways, I am glad to recollect them again here.
• DIYs. I love sewing, handicrafts, crocheting, cross-stitching, painting & drawing, etc. Nowadays, you call it DIYs (Do it your own). When I am not in the office, I do sewing at home. I love to sew their uniforms, costumes in school, gowns, bags, bonnets, and anything fancy. Resigning from office was never boring at home because I make the most of it. Likewise, sewing became my own "bread and butter" which added to our income.
• Gardening. Being surrounded with flowers and ornamental plants in my front yard makes a beautiful view that passersby would stop and appreciate the flowers and ornamental plants around. At the same time, my backyard is filled with root crops, fruit trees and lintels. Roaming around my garden in the morning with a cup of coffee makes my day!
• Online Writing. I am truly happy to have been a part of this proactive world online. I have been a virtual writer since 2012 to date. I have learned a lot and that includes getting scammed along the way.:) It was lesson learned but hey, getting scammed in the real world is even worst, right? Therefore, all we can do is to be vigilant in all we do.
This is all for now guys, thanks you for reaching this far. This is my entry #150 of @JustineParke's Asean Community challenge, re: "What Makes Me Happy". How about you guys, what makes you happy?
It was not easy to undergo those tough challenges at a young age. I admire you for being brave enough to share this personal life experience here because sometimes it is difficult to open that period in our life that is full of trials. Losing family members I think is the most painful experience. Through these all, you came out strong and determined to go on with life.
If I had a chance, I would like to learn more about sewing. My grandmother was a seamstress; I wish I had some training from her. Keep doing the things that you love...
Your comment is upvoted by @topcomment
Info - Support - Discord
Hello @topcomment. My heartfelt gratitude for the upvote, and for recognizing my comment.
🙂💝
Indeed it's hard to relate your story especially when you grew up to a well respected family and even praising them for their 'charity' work. I've only managed to relate my testimony here after decades of keeping it to myself until I got married. It was a relief on my part. My insecurities and aloofness made me a loner wherein I have developed my 'hidden talents' and being praised for my creations and creativeness. Who would expect that my sewing prowess became useful when I got married? It was a blessing in disguise. Never stop dreaming to achieve your goal and never lose hope while the shines everyday of your life.
Wow, you are truly strong Sis @sarimanok with the tides of life and truly a mother who loves her family dearly.
Mother's must be the stronger one for the welfare of their family until such time that they will be able to stand on their own two feet and build their own nests. But it does not end there because it is a never ending process but rather it blooms as the years go by.
Thanks for coming sis @jurich60!
YOU are a well gifted,talented and hardworking wife and mom. You have also fashion for gardening and thats good to make you exercise.
That's what mothers are for after giving birth, right? They're helpless without our guidance as they grow older. It's our duty to protect them from harm. I am a very protective mom to my kids and I am happy that they are doing the same with their kids now. I've seen how proud they are that their mama made this and that for them from outfits to bags and more DIYs. All I asked was for them to study and bring good grades because it will reflect to their credentials when they apply for a job. I am happy that they're doing well in school not only in academics but also excel in other extra curricular activities.
You're right. Gardening is another form of exercise to sweat it out while you harvest the fruits of your labor in the end. It's a big savings in your pocket especially during the lockdown when you depend what you have in your backyard for food.
There were shortages in safety devices during that time like masks, right? Well, I made money by sewing home-made masks from my scraps! I sold it for 25 pesos only. Being self-sufficient is advantageous in times like this.
Thanks for the visit dear. God bless!
Such a strong woman! I got a teary eye reading your story, on how you experienced hard labor and being bullied and how bedtime was just your time of relief at a young age you experience a tough battle and you remained strong. Such an inspiration!
At a young age with no one to stand by you id almost unbearable but there's nothing you can do, right? All you can do is go with the flow for you to live even if there are lots of questions in your mind that remains unanswered, The moral lesson here is to Trust God. There's a light at the end of the tunnel as the saying goes. Thank you for dropping by. God bless!
I am so happy to read your family story it's so inspiring. Family should come first. Ciao!
I can fully relate to how colorful your life story is. I was a product of a broken family, and what you've gone through was no different from what I experienced. However, to heal from that trauma, I chose to consider that phase of my life as a blessing and be grateful to the Above. Cheers to us who have been there but never given up on this colorful life adventure.😊
Indeed. These experiences made us stronger and better person. I believe that karma is real. God did not forsake me after all. Looking back, I would say, I had a very colourful life. I am now in my senior years and I am ever thankful that I have reached this far to witness the growth of my family.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts as well. God bless!
You deserve the happiness now with your family
Thank you. Indeed, I am happy to have a loving family with me around. It cannot be avoided that I cry out whenever I miss my departed ones especially on special family gatherings. I console myself that we cannot fathom God's plan for us. I used to question Him "Why?" I should be the one to go first not them! It was heart wrenching when they should have been enjoying life yet but that's life. You can't have them all and I rest my case to the Almighty. This I ask, and I always pray for their good health and long life so they may enjoy life until their hairs turn into grey.
as one of your passions is gardening it sounds absolutely lovely! There's something so peaceful about starting the day surrounded by nature, sipping coffee while admiring the beauty of your garden. so cozy!😍 thank you for sharing ma'am!💚
To be surrounded with greens is a blessing. You can feel them so alive especially when it rains overnight. In short, they make my day. I am very happy whenever it's harvest time and taste the fruits of your labor. They taste sweeter compared to those you buy in the market because what you sow was filled with TLC.
Thanks for the visit. I wonder why your comment was muted though but I hope it will be solved so we can interact with each other.
I believe in the saying "beautiful hands are those hands that work," and I guess, this is a description so true in you. Your passion says it all. Handcrafts are beautifully crafted with a loving and tender hands. The garden will blossom at its fullest being nurtured by the warmth of your hands. A write-up that will inspire the readers is only made possible with the hands intelligibly type down words from the brilliance of ones own mind. Keep them all up. That is an admirable traits of you😇
Well said my friend. My heart is overflowing with warmth while reading your comments. I can particularly sense a brilliant lady with poetic chosen words which inspires me to do better. Thank you for the kind words. God bless you more!
View or trade
LOHtokens.@sarimanok, You have received 1.0000 LOH for posting to Ladies of Hive.
We believe that you should be rewarded for the time and effort spent in creating articles. The goal is to encourage token holders to accumulate and hodl LOH tokens over a long period of time.
Thank you so much and more power to LOH!
⋆ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ғᴏʀ sᴏᴜᴛʜᴇᴀsᴛ ᴀsɪᴀɴ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ ᴏɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ
⋆ sᴜʙsᴄʀɪʙᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsᴇᴀɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ
⋆ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsᴇᴀɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴠᴏᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʀᴀɪʟ
⋆ ᴅᴇʟᴇɢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʟɪɴᴋs 25 ʜᴘ⇾50 ʜᴘ⇾100 ʜᴘ⇾500 ʜᴘ⇾1,000 ʜᴘ