My Father Didn't See Me Grow Up

I read an an article from a newspaper and this somewhat retells my narrative as an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker), absentee father and provider.

The narrative states of the "(mis) adventures" of the OFW's children entering their "bumpier rides" approaching adolescent years, and the troubles and torments of 20- and 30-something parents as they come in the disruptive form of kid rearing.

Though my age doesn't fall in that bracket, the narrative suits my biography. My married woman and I are very supportive of each other in the public presentation of our culturally-prescribed roles as place shaper and provider, respectively. However, these old functions have got got melted in the growth necessitates of our family; both hubby and married woman have to work to gain a life to back up these growth needs.

Though my married woman remains in the Republic Of The Philippines to work, the impact of these alterations on our household still have a jarring consequence on our children, especially my firstborn boy who's starting to face the paradox of the absentee father I am. My children are now beginning to lose my life presence - a spread I'm trying to counterbalance for through monthly remittal and balikbayan boxes. But these can't mask the sense of loss now surfacing as resentful heartache that my children have got painted in their hearts: "My father did not see me turn up."

The agony of OFWs children could probably dual (or perhaps triple) on the parent's side. As a father toiling away from home, I always believe of my household when I see a nice place, hoping that they could also see what I'm seeing. I would always believe of my household when I eat a sumptuous meal, concern too much for their safety and desire to share the hurting in their clip of failures and observe with them in modern times of triumph. How I wish I could make all these without derelict in my other duty as a provider.

Fulfillment on the portion of an absentee parent is to see that their duty assists maneuver the course of study and guarantee that those left behind have got a much better hereafter - a tangible acknowledgment of their toiling away from home. It have been very easy to mensurate the economical benefits from abroad work. But I doubt if one can ever quantify what the Filipino household have given up in footing of love, or what it is doing to retrieve it.