# data[].attributes.body
The news arrived one evening, a chilling call from my aunt: Papa was dying. That night, I poured my heart out in prayer, begging for a miracle. Later, in a dream, Papa appeared, his voice a whisper in the darkness: "nak alagaan nimo si mama nimo huh, I love you." Those words, a final echo of his love, haunted me. When my mom found out that my papa was dying, she immediately decided that tomorrow morning we'll go to digos. The journey to Digos was a blur. I slept, jolted awake by my aunt's frantic phone call. They were having a hushed phone call discussion. Their sad whispers were hard to understand, but the devastating truth pierced through the muffled words: Papa was gone.” No one had the courage to wake me, to break the news directly. I cried silently, the weight of unspoken loss pressing down on me as the car sped toward Digos. Only upon arriving at my grandparents' house where they told me that my father was gone. So on September 8th, 2021—the day that Papa left us.

# data[].attributes.body
“Life isn't a fixed routine, sometimes you just gotta roll with the weird surprises, embrace the unexpected steps, catch the beat, and figure out how to groove with the chaos.”

# data[].attributes.body
Every night when my papa comes home he always brings me a hotcake, which is my favorite by the way.

# data[].attributes.body
Hi my name is Hussem, I was born as the first eldest daughter of my family. My dad works as a carpenter and mom as a housewife, who loves to cook and prepare food for us. My papa loved to buy me a lot of gifts when I was child. Whatever I ask, as long as he can give it to me, he will. Oh, my mama, she was the best. She is kind, generous, brave and loving.

# data[].attributes.body
When I was 5 years old, God gave us a blessing. A baby. When I learned that my mama was pregnant, I was so excited and happy because back then I felt so lonely playing alone at our house so having siblings makes me excited to have a playmate.

# data[].attributes.body
Everything was perfect. I have a loving papa and mama and a cute baby brother. Until my father became diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Everything changed.

# data[].attributes.body
Every night I could see my mama covering herself with a blanket while crying. Back then only papa had work and she didn't let mama do anything else aside from taking good care of us and maintaining our house clean. So when papa got sick mom chose to go back to her hometown in sarangani. We didn't have anything back then aside from our “pamasahe” because mom left everything in digos.

# data[].attributes.body
Our life in sarangani was tough, mom chose 3 jobs per day, as long as it makes money. In those days my mom could only afford a kilo of rice every meal, sometimes we make an utang to our neighbor so that we could eat three times a day. One time when my mom borrowed 3 cups of rice, our neighbor said “oh! banay baya na" while handling the plastic bag filled with rice that my mama borrowed. At that time we could only afford NFA rice. But still my mama replied “balikan lagi nako og banay". That time I know that my mama swallowed her pride. When my mama got sick she would not let us know, she would always say that she's okay and she can bear the pain. Although my aunties and uncle from my father's side helped us, still it was not enough for our daily needs.

# data[].attributes.body
When I entered school, my only baon was 5 pesos. At those time I envied my classmates because they had so many baon in their lunch box. They have biscuits, fruits, and a delicious meal while me only has 5 pesos in hand. After class their parents would pick them up in school while me, I would go home walking on the road together with my best friend because I couldn't even afford a pamasahe with a 5 pesos baon every time. Although 5 pesos at that time was big enough, I still took pity on myself because I was aware that we couldn't get anything that I wanted because of our situation.

# data[].attributes.body
My mother, though still burdened by her multiple jobs, seemed to carry herself with a newfound dignity. We returned to Sarangani, our lives still challenging, but the pain of loss gradually softened into a joy knowing that he is in the hands of our Creator . The memories of my father, once painful reminders of what we'd lost, began to transform into cherished recollections of his love. The hotcakes, the gifts, the unwavering affection these were treasures I would carry in my heart, a legacy more valuable than any material possession. The future remains uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope, a quiet strength born from shared hardship and the enduring love of a mother who had sacrificed everything for her children.

# data[].attributes.body
Years passed. The hardship remained, but its edges softened. My mother, though her hands still roughened by work, held her head higher, her spirit unbroken. I continued my studies, driven by a quiet determination fueled by my father's memory and my mother's unwavering love. Each small victory, like surviving and passing each college semester, felt like a tribute to their sacrifices. Slowly, I am reaching my dreams in life. By the love, mercy and favor of God, our lives began to improve. Opportunities arose, doors opened, and the weight of poverty began to lift. We weren't wealthy, but we were no longer struggling to survive. We had enough to eat, a decent roof over our heads, and a future filled with hope.

# data[].attributes.body
Looking back, I see God's hand in every step of our journey. From the initial blessing of my brother to the unexpected strength my mother found, to the opportunities that arose when we needed them most, I know that His grace guided us through the darkest times. I am eternally grateful for the lessons I've learned, for the love that sustained us, and for the promise of a brighter future. As the bible says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I planned to trust God and surrender all my worries and dreams to Him because I know that He knows what is best for me. What happens in the past, God always had a reasons and God is in control. My father's memory remains a source of strength, a reminder of the enduring power of love and faith, and a testament to God's unwavering presence in our lives. And I continue to study, striving to reach my dreams, knowing that every achievement is a thank you to God for leading us from hardship to a life slowly, but surely, becoming prosperous.

# data[].attributes.body
Hardship may test us, but it only strengthens the ties that bind. Our family's bond is a testament to our resilience. The storms may rage, but our family's love remains a steadfast lighthouse. Our bond, forged in hardship, shines brighter than ever.

# data[].attributes.body
The funeral was a blur of tearful faces and hushed condolences. The half-glass coffin in front of me was a stark contrast to the lavish gifts my father used to shower me with, holding all that remained of him. My mother, her face marked with grief but her eyes mirrored determination. She handled everything calmly and efficiently, which surprised me. Afterward, surrounded by relatives offering words of comfort, a wave of calm washed over me. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of peace. It wasn't that I hadn't wanted my father to live, but rather that I understood God's mercy. God hadn't prolonged his suffering; He'd taken him home.