Dollars for You (January 22,2008)

Dollars for You
By Maria Reylan M. Garcia

A few Sundays ago, when my family and I attended mass to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family; the priest, during his homily, fulfilled the simple wish of a Filipina domestic helper back in Hong Kong. She was a mother who against all odds, dragged her suit case to a foreign land and literally scrubbed for money in order to send to her hopeful family. This woman’s wish was to let her children know her work in Hong Kong is nowhere near easy and they have to always put that in mind. It is not easy when the toilet disinfectants, use to clean rest rooms, would creased her hands into what appears to be decaying. All for the love of family, this cliché compresses the daily struggles of each domestic helper, and basically each overseas Filipino worker. I looked around the multitude of people hearing mass, and believe that more than half of the crowd have either mothers, fathers, siblings or children scattered in all corners of the globe, with just about the same condition of that simple woman who scrubs for her family.

Every person would agree that the family is the ironically abstract force that gives the individual a concrete reason to battle out the cruelty of life. What more is life’s cruelty other than poverty? Hearing your children’s tuition increase by some ten percent, forces you to read the classified ads for some recruiting agency. Seeing how more and more basins and buckets line in your living room catching rainwater from a leaking ceiling, compels you to accept the job offer in some country you never even know existed. Being aware how your mother’s struggle against diabetes have continuously pained her, eventually made you pack your suit case and board the next flight to who knows where and start wiping the poop out of some foreigners behind. Then, coming back home after a few years you’re standing outside your mansion where a rickety shack used to be, smiling that everything was worth it.

But you know what bugs me? Some people back here doesn’t seem to care at all. Though I may not narrate the specific tiresome experiences those workers abroad have, all testimonials from OFWs alike share the same thought; their work is never easy. A little appreciation and respect would go a long way. But, as dad works under the scourging Middle East heat in a construction site, his party going daughter back home spend relentlessly his hard earn dinars on the latest wardrobe of dresses she’ll be using on night outs, instead of saving them up for her college expenses. But, as mom has her duty on freezing nights in a New York hospital, her son back home charge away her hard earn dollars on the latest gadgets he’ll be bragging to his classmates the next day at school. But, as first born Nene takes care of some cranky senior citizens in London, her mom and dad back home continuously talk to her by broadband to send more money so as to finish the talk of the barrio mansion their building. As I’ve said, a little appreciation and respect would definitely go a long way.

When your mom, dad or child goes home with a truckload of balikbayan boxes, I can assure you not one of those items inside are out of some happy go lucky life abroad. I took up Nursing to go abroad and get a high paying job, I won’t deny that. But, I’m not one of the many who were forced and brain washed by their families and pushed to their very limits to provide better lives for them. My parents told me that I should be pursuing my course not for them, but for myself and my future family. This thought fuels me to strive on the career I chose, not pressured but inspired to continue. Many others were oceans away because of pressure, yet I salute them because considering the number of years they spent in search for a greener pasture, a quarter of their lives has already been taken away from their very own selves. Some years that should have been for their own pampering and individual joys, then again, seeing their children or their parents smile and contented of their new lives, is already the pampering joy fulfilling them.

Yes, your parents and children may be sending their pictures taken from Disneyland or the Grand Canyon posing like life is as sweet as the chocolate bars their sending back here. Better take another look. Yes, your parents and children may be smiling wide while talking on webcams with you assuring you, that they’re having a fun time. Don’t conclude just yet.

Respect your parents and what they earn.
Appreciate your children and what they give.
Their works are never easy.

I’ll prove to you someday.