One of the sacrifices OFWs have to make when working abroad is to be away from their families – but for a mother to be separated from her children at a tender age, it takes strength, courage, and For OFW mom Sheryl Palacios-Manalo who has been working in the UAE’s healthcare sector for 12 years, having to send her kids home was one of the most painful partings she experienced.
“Ipinanganak ko lang sila dito sa Abu Dhabi at kinailangan nang ibalik sa Pilipinas matapos ng isang buwan. Napakahirap para sa akin na mawalay sa aking mga anak habang sila ay lumalaki,” shares Palacios-Manalo who also said that she missed many ‘firsts’ of her two kids, a 9-year-old and a 7-year-old.
However, as with the struggles of many Filipino moms – the worst feeling is to see her kids sick and she isn’t there to care for them. “Ang pinakamahirap sa kalooban ko bilang isang ina ay kapag may sakit ang mga anak ko at wala ako sa tabi nila para maalagaan sila. Gusto kong umuwi sa pagkakataong iyon, pero hindi ko kaya. Isinasa-Diyos ko na lang at ipinagdarasal para bigyan sila ng proteksyon laban sa anumang makakasakit sa kanila at patunbayan sila sa lahat ng oras,” said Palacios-Manalo.
Reunited
After almost 10 years of being apart, Palacios-Manalo was finally able to bring her kids from the Philippines to enjoy bonding moments, even for just a short while. She advises fellow moms who might be missing their kids to remain steadfast and show their love for their kids in their own special way.
“We should have an attitude of persistence and faces life’s demands without fussing, nagging, groaning, or comparing our situation with others’ circumstances. We should love all our children unconditionally and demonstrates to our children how they too can love at all times. We should recognize that our patience will be tried by disobedience but it will never cause our love to regress in anger,” said Palacios-Manalo.
She also shared that while moms may not be together with their kids, the power of prayers and constant communication is key for them to live happier lives. “We should always hug our children through our daily prayers and hold our children tightly around our heart. Offering them to the Lord and let God be in control of their safety, good health and well-being as they grow up. We may not be there physically with them but let them feel our presence through constant communication and prayers,” advised Palacios-Manalo to her fellow OFW moms.
