Discovering Shared Journeys in Brokenness

It's easy to overlook the untold stories of those navigating unseen paths. Jaena, a resilient young woman, embodies the strength and courage hidden within the shadows of being abandoned by her father at an early age. This is not just a story of brokenness but a testament to the unyielding spirit that flourishes amidst adversity.

The Unseen Struggles

Jaena's journey begins with the abrupt departure of her father when she was 9 years old, leaving her family fractured and her young heart wounded. The pain of abandonment echoed through the hallways of her home, intertwining with the everyday struggles faced by a child trying to make sense of a world suddenly turned upside down.

"I felt like I was standing on the edge of emptiness," Jaena recounts, her eyes reflecting the vulnerability of a child left to navigate a world that seemed both unfamiliar and unforgiving. The financial strains, emotional toll, and societal judgment became constant companions in her journey through adolescence.

"Noong bata pa ako, kapag family day sa school, or even just any event, madalas mag-isa lang ako, or kami lang dalawa no'ng kapatid ko. Dahil yung Mama ko naman nagwowork, tapos yung kapatid ko, kaschool ko, madalas kami kami lang yung nandon. Kapag school meetings, I remember parati yung tita ko ang nagpupunta sa parents meetings namin." Jaena said, "Wala lang sya sa'kin noon, pero no'ng tumanda na. saka ko narealize na ang unfortunate ng mga pangyayari". She added.

Even at a young age, she already felt the difference between herself and the others she encountered.

“Mahirap syempre, ikaw ba naman halos araw-araw tanungin ‘San Tatay mo?’, mga gan’ong tanong, eh ang isinasagot ko lang dati, nasa abroad para tumigil na sila” she told.

The Inner Strength Revealed

Yet, Jaena's narrative is not confined to despair; it's a testament to the strength that blooms amidst adversity. Recalling moments of mustering courage against judgmental stares and whispered rumors, Jaena emerged not broken, but resolute. Each judgment fueled her determination to surpass societal expectations.

"Gusto kong iprove na hindi hadlang yung hindi pagiging buo ng isang pamilya". Jaena asserts, her voice echoing a resilience born from a multitude of internal battles. Education became her sanctuary, a realm where her potential could thrive despite the shadows of her past.

As she grew older, she learned to be resilient in the face of challenges and sought the companionship of friends to avoid feeling alone. She used this strategy to have a support system, lessening the burden of the difficulties they were going through.

Passing the Torch of Resilience

Now that she is a mother too, the echoes of her own journey resonate in the decisions she makes for her child. With each passing day, she finds a renewed determination to shield her little one from the hardships she once knew too well. The lessons of resilience, learned through the crucible of her own experiences, become the guiding light in her role as a mother.

“Ayokong maranasan nya yung mga pinagdaanan ko sa buhay, kaya ginagawa ko lahat ng makakaya ko para ibigay sa kanya ‘yong mga hindi ko naranasan noong bata pa ako”. She said.

In her arms, she cradles not just a precious bundle of joy but a promise—a promise to create a different narrative, one where her child can thrive without the shadows of past struggles. Through a steadfast commitment to providing love, support, and a nurturing environment, she endeavors to rewrite the script, ensuring that the next generation faces a world less burdened by the weight of unseen battles.

Empathy Beyond Assumptions

Jaena's story prompts us to reconsider our perceptions of broken families and the children who emerge from them. It beckons us to look beyond the surface and acknowledge the strength born from unseen struggles. Their resilience challenges the stereotypes, reminding us that empathy extends beyond assumptions.

In sharing Jaena's journey, we saw the unseen world of broken family children. It is a world where courage blossoms in the face of abandonment, where strength thrives amidst societal judgment, and where resilience becomes a guiding light through the shadows of the past. Jaena's story invites us to walk beside her in this unseen world, acknowledging that, though different, it is a world rich in untold stories and unwavering strength.

And as a child of a broken family too, it turns out I am not different from them—I am not alone. I was wrong to think that I was somehow separate from them as I grew up. Jaena proved to me that she was with me the entire time I was facing my struggles. We weren't different; we were just unfortunate.