Married to an *OFW

       What is life like for an OFW family? A big sacrifice! A struggle both for the couple but I guess more on the wife and kids left behind. The wife takes the duty of both parents raising their children.

       My husband being an OFW is hard but being a wife of an OFW is harder. My husband fights homesickness, the unbearable extreme cold of Alberta and the struggles against temptations.   So am I, plus I do extra effort to be both a mom and dad to our kids; take care of the house and his earnings.

2008

     Here in the Philippines, Ronnie used to work for 17 years as an accountant in a rural bank with meager earnings. We have 2 sons aged 10 and 11 then when we decided we had to sacrifice the distance so we could provide for a better future. Our plan is to be financially free and save for our children’s college education. So he tried his luck working abroad.  

2013

         He flew to Edmonton Canada on February 2008 to work as a warehouse operator in a cold storage company.  He’s been employed in the same company for 5 years now.  He’s only home 3 times.  I thought we get used to saying our goodbyes every time, but it’s all the same – tears always win!  When we got home from the airport, it was always sadness.  My youngest was openly crying with me at bed while t he eldest was so quiet.

5 YEARS 

      If given the choice, we wouldn't choose to be away from each other. A married couple should always be together raising their children and building a home. Not to forget to mention how we missed each other on several occasions like Christmas, birthdays and graduation . No doubt that technology has been useful bridging the distance but no matter how often you communicated every day, nothing beats the actual human touch.

Celebrating the coming New Year 2013 via Skype

            Being away from the head of the family a year or more – needs extra effort to work out as a family. We've been married for 18 years. We've been through thick and thin... not only metaphorically but may pertain to our hairline too!  There are so many common marital issues we've solved and still coping with. What more when you’re away from each other.

A day  via Tango or Viber 

       Learning to trust is the key to keep the relationship. Effort is your way to have a happy one.  Drawing strength from God endures the pain of distance.  We entrust everything to God.  I’m grateful for the husband God gave me.

       Apart from good health and safety, we’re always praying that we get together soon. Who knows I together with our kids might join him in Canada. Keep up the faith.

BEST EMPLOYEE 2012

      

TCS ALBERTA, INC.

*OFW- Overseas Filipino Worker