Oras, Jasmine B.

September 10,2010

UBSN- NPG

A Gift
Suffering from a heart related illness, a mother has chosen to risk her life for a baby girl.
Believing that it is a God-given gift, sorting to an abortion is not an option. In everything God
has the purpose and plan. Though we may not understand the reasons behind it, trusting Him is
the best decision. She named her child after a distinct flower, jasmine.

I am the youngest among four siblings, the eldest was a tall and dark man, Alfredo and
the pretty ladies, Jenny Vee and Gemma. The gap between me and my sister Gemma is eight
years. In short, we had a generation gap. It was never easy to be their youngest sibling but atleast
I was able to manage it and survive. That day when I was born, our father is not around. He was
abroad working hard to support and provide for the family since my brethren are still young. He
comes home after every four years for a vacation and stays for three to six months. I first saw
him when I was already a preschooler. If I am to compute the years I spent with him in the
twenty one years of my life, its only a n estimate of three years. I totally know all his sacrifices
and his love for the family. I do understand the reason and purpose that separation but I cannot
deny the fact that I missed to appreciate how it is to be loved by a father. There is a lack the
sense of having someone who will stay beside you when you need him. The need for a person
who will guide and protect you from any harm is suppressed. A father image is missing. I know
that he is my father but I was not given the opportunity to know him better. Nevertheless, it’s
fine because we had we mother who is there to love, to care, to guide, to discipline and to teach
me especially about God. It is a blessing that after giving birth, the Lord gave her more years to
live with us. Our family was happy then. I can still remember some of those happy moments
together. We always had our picture takings in the garden after our Sunday church services. We
also enjoy having our picnics at Burnham Park with bicycle riding and boating. During holidays,
we create our own unique and improvised Christmas tree. It’s unforgettable but those moments
didn’t last long. It must have been okay and I will be contented to just have my mother beside
me, yet seven years aren’t enough.

When I was an infant, I never tried to be fed with breast milk due to my mom’s condition
after giving birth. I don’t think feeding became pleasurable back then. According to Sigmund
Freud’s Psychosexual Theory, maybe it was the reason why I sometimes do nail biting and
someone who is an introvert. I have a hard time trusting someone and something I barely know.
A type of person who chooses to keep silent and cry rather than to shout and to talk a lot when in
distress, angry or problematic. When I was a toddler, I had my temper tantrums when I wanted
to see my grandmother who took good care of me during my mother ‘s illness. During those days
that my mom’s illness is getting worst and was suffering from stroke affecting her brain, a lot of
problems came to the family. There are always quarrels happening inside the house that all I do
is to cry seeing all those things. I also remember that I always had nightmares of a dream I
cannot explain. Things got even worse when my mom suddenly passed away at a young age of
thirty six, leaving me behind at the age of seven. A poor little girl who doesn’t have the idea of
how much lost it is. I just realized it as I grow older especially during my adolescent years. I
realized how painful and hard it is to grow up without a mother and a father to guide you and
help you in the most critical days of your life. Until now, there are still those times when I cry
longing for a mother when I am having problems and when I am facing trials. Sometimes, I even
envy my friends who are close to their mother. How I wish I also have that someone who will
love, support and accept me the way I am. How I long to have someone to care, to guide and to
help me in every decisions of life. Yet, I must accept the truth and still live life to the fullest. To
enjoy and to be happy with the people who is there ready to love me the way I am.

UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO

COLLEGE OF NURSING
 A GIFT
September 10, 2010

SUBMITTED BY:

JASMINE B. ORAS

UBSN IV-NPG

SUBMITTED TO:

MRS. KRISMA GALACE-TOLENTINO

INSTRUCTOR