My brother is going away again...
By whengcat
@whengcat (1457)
Philippines
April 26, 2011 10:08pm CST
My brother is a seaman, works as a cook on a tourists' cruise ship. In a year, he works for 10 months and the remaining 2 months is his vacation and goes home to his family. He arrived last February for his 2 months vacation. We live in different cities but we try to communicate more often. He has a 3 years old daughter whom he really loves dearly and now that he's going away for work again, he feels very sad and find it hard to say goodbye to his little girl again
If only he could retire and have some stable job or business in their place he would do so, so that he and his family will never be apart anymore. But such opportunity is not so possible right now especially with the ailing economy here in our country.
He's now aboard on a plane to Hongkong and from there he'll take another flight to Alaska...
I can sense my sister-in-law's sadness when I checked on her and my niece. She told me that my niece was looking for her papa when she woke up, poor little thing..There's nothing I could do but comport her on the phone
..Such sacrifices we'll make for our family's bright future..
If only he could retire and have some stable job or business in their place he would do so, so that he and his family will never be apart anymore. But such opportunity is not so possible right now especially with the ailing economy here in our country.
He's now aboard on a plane to Hongkong and from there he'll take another flight to Alaska...
I can sense my sister-in-law's sadness when I checked on her and my niece. She told me that my niece was looking for her papa when she woke up, poor little thing..There's nothing I could do but comport her on the phone
..Such sacrifices we'll make for our family's bright future..7 responses
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
My youngest sister's husband was like that too, 2 years ago. He was and assistant chef in a tanker.
But because he didn't pass the medical check-up for his last trip, he wasn't able to go aboard the ship. Since then he never tried, because he realized he is happy here with her wife and 2 growing kids.
During those times, that he was aboard the ship, he established a snack house at the lawn of our patriarchal house, with their house at the back of that. He saw that it has really boomed under the management of her wife and my other sister. So what he did, because of his skill in cooking, he customized a rolling store that sells "lugaw" with choices of toppings. That too boomed, and he never regretted not having gone aboard the ship.
At least now, he can be with her growing kids. He had his stores closed during Black Friday. My sisters said had he opened them, there were so many customers that could have eaten there. But he said, he have to give back to God, what He has given to him so it's okay.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
27 Apr 11
Awwh while I am glad he is working this has to be truly hard for him, the baby, wife and you all to handle. It has to be truly hard to say farewell because 1q0 months is so long.
You are right in this day and age so many sacrifices are made just to be able to make ends meat these days like this. Continue with the love and suppor for his wife and child and check on them often. Assure your brother you are all a phone call away and will be checking often.
I do hope he can remain home more often because life is so short sometimes but I certainly understand that these sacrifices are made for the betterment of the family.
Is this a contract or is this his permanent job?
@whengcat (1457)
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
I think its permanent and its up to him if he wants to retire. But just as he told me, he can't retire yet. He has a lot of earnings to do to secure his family's future...
Yeah, I will definitely keep intouched with my sister-in-law and my niece. That's the best thing I can do right now because we're far away from each other. I know they will be fine as her relatives are not very far from them.
@bhabycatch013 (9150)
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
hello whengcat,
I understand your feelings if they only have a choice not to leave
But for her family bright future he need to do that
Well maybe if they have enough savings he can put a business and be with his family again
have a nice day!
1 person likes this
@abatencila (970)
• Philippines
15 May 11
I feel for your sister in law because my husband is also working on a cruise. We can't do anything but sacrifice for the future of our children and for the welfare of the whole family. Anyways, thanks to technology because we now have skype where we can communicate if we want to.
1 person likes this
@redvakaurvaki (4216)
• Indonesia
27 Apr 11
I'm sad for the daughter. I know it's hard choice, and he's not so glad to doing this. But sometimes in life, we must to face this kind of situation. The daughter may lack of affection to grow up, but let take care her and ask her to understand little by little. good luck to you all :-)
1 person likes this
