To start with, I am the only girl in our family. It is expected that I would be in an environment where strict guidance is always implemented and that I am held accountable to follow. Yeah, you're right! Growing up in a family where I can open up my problems and feelings then ask for some pieces of advice from them. They know everything about me and in making decisions it is always guided by my parents.

My life since then has always been challenging from which it tested how resilient I am to continue and achieve what my heart and mind desires to aim. I humbly believe I'm not as simple as how I envisioned my younger self because while growing up there's a lot of changes on how I think and see myself in the years ahead. For the reason that, since I was a kid I always dreamt of the things that other kids in my age had. Those were the days that I learned to appreciate the little things I have such as reused shoes, a one peso in my pocket, a meal of dried fish every week and a cooked rice mixed in a sweet potato or banana. That's also the times where I begin to strive for what I want and always do things aligned to what makes my family happy and proud.

I studied hard and have accomplishments in schools. From which resulted to how big my dream and life goals are as of now for myself, for my family and for the people that needed my help. Despite from those trying times, I always see the good things my life has to offer. I still get to enjoy the journey and remain optimistic. As the years passed by, through the help of God's grace i realized the purpose and the efforts I should pour to obtain what I dreamed of. I always remind myself that God put me in this situation because He knows that I can be an instrument to shed light to those precious people around me.

Since then it's been marked in my mind that I am the only hope my family has and that they believe I can do it. That's why I always get the full support I need to continue. Yet here I am struggling and determined to achieve my life goals amidst uncertainties of where my life will take me. Furthermore, it's not about how fast I will win the race of life but it is about how willing I am to finish the race and reach success bringing back the lessons I pick off along the journey. Life experiences made me do this far from what I am in the past years. If I fail I will find a way to get myself back on the track. Till this point of my life, I am still learning and doing things that could make my heart feel contented, happy and stable.

No words can immensely picture the heartbreaking moment and thought of losing a family member. They are the people I treasure and given importance. Through thick and thin, they have seen me at my best and worst, and make me feel unconditional love and care. My family is the stem and pillars of support, comfort, and the one I can call my truest definition of home. The thought of losing them is like imagining a world without sunlight which is cold, dark, and lifeless and I've been there.

Here's a short story for that, way back 27th of November of 2017 my brother died and was followed by my grandmother in the 14th day of January 2018. Too fast right? In just a leap of a month it happened again. It is still fresh in my mind of how I was lost and feels nothing but just purely pain at that moment. It engraved a significant mark in my heart about the importance of having them.

Up to now, its shadows still keeps haunting me at night filling me with the thoughts of grief and I badly missed them. However, I just remind myself this fear is a testament to the love I have for my family.

Furthermore,, I will not allow this fear to control me. That's why I use it as a motivation to cherish every moment I have with them, to express my love for them, and to make meaningful memories with them.

In the end, the fear of losing them is considered as part of my life. A fear that reminds me all the time about the impermanence of life and the significance of cherishing our loved ones. It's a fear that, in its own way, teaches me the value of love, family, and life itself.

It is my family that provides me with a safe haven. Their comforting words, their soothing presence, and their unconditional love serve as a balm to my troubled soul. They remind me that no matter how tough life gets, I am not alone. I have them by my side, ready to face any storm with me. They taught me the values that I hold and that is to be truthful, giving, compassionate, and resilient. They have instilled in me a sense of responsibility towards myself and the world around me through their guidance. Navigating me from what is right and wrong. They have shown me the importance of perseverance, the joy of giving, and the power of love.

What I am today, what I achieve in life and what challenges I surpass is because of them. They are the root causes of how you know me and meet me. In essence, my family is not just a pillar of support but considered as my everything. No equal value can equibiradiate my family.