Echoes of Hope

​"Distance teaches us to appreciate the days that we are able to spend together and the waiting only makes these moments more precious." This quote hits home every single day as I navigate life thousands of miles away from the ones I hold dearest. Being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is a difficult job and it’s indeed commitment to sacrifice for my family's future, a promise made with every sunrise in a foreign land.
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I still remember the morning my Mom left to work in Saudi Arabia. I was barely eight, I clung to her leg while she bid goodbye to us, her eyes were clouded with tears. It was many years ago and I was not sure if I understood why my Mom had to go so far away.

Fast forward, my children had to go back to Philippines while I stay here in Saudi. As I hugged them, feeling their fingers grip me tighter, a part of me wanted to drop everything and go with them. But the harsh sting of my own childhood memories - days clouded with doubt and half-fulfilled hopes, and nights spent dreaming of a brighter tomorrow- fueled my resolve. I kissed them and whispered promises of a better life, a future where they wouldn’t have to face the hardships I did.
 
The daily grind here is tough. Work is more than just the hours I put in; it's also navigating through a maze of office drama and politics. It feels like walking a tightrope, trying to balance maintaining peace and standing up for myself. And amidst this, the loneliness of being away from home often sweeps over me like a cold wave. But then, I think of my children’s laughter, the dreams I have for them, and I find the strength to push forward.
 
I have a lot of side hustles not because I want to but because I must. Each extra effort I do, every additional riyal I save, is for them. It’s for my eldest’s dream to go to college without the shadow of uncertainty hanging over her future. It’s for the little one who dreams of being a forensic doctor, because she thinks mysteries are cool. It’s for every time they need something or when they want to enjoy their youthfulness, I would be able to provide. These aren’t just aspirations; they are the fuel that keeps me going when my body screams for sleep and my heart aches for home.
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Despite the distance, I strive to be there for my kids in any way I can. Whenever we chat or catch up over video calls, I get to hear all about their stories and small victories. My heart swells with pride, yet it breaks a little because I couldn’t be there to share such moments in person.

​Every day as an OFW is a day closer to achieving the dreams I’ve set for my family. It’s hard, often painful, but I keep my eyes on the prize—a future where my children don’t just survive but thrive, far beyond what I’ve achieved.

To my children, know that every sacrifice is made with you in mind, borne out of a love so deep and enduring that no ocean can dilute it. And to those who share this path of sacrifice, remember why we embarked on this journey. Our dreams for our families are worth every hardship.
 
With each day that passes, I count down the moments until I can hug my children again. Those last hugs and whispered promises we shared before I left are what keep me going. They remind me that every hard day is worth it because it brings me closer to a future where we can be together, laughing and sharing life face-to-face. I imagine that happy day a lot, a future where we are together again, sharing not just dreams, but everyday moments of laughter and love.