This photo conveys so much…this is for JEFF!

This still photo captured my eyes when I saw it scrolled passed my Facebook newsfeed. It’s a shot of someone who seemed to be screaming!

I may not know how this was captured, who captured it for him and when exactly it was captured. But this, I know, and feel deep in my heart…I know he is screaming. Not was, but is! He is screaming with pain in his whole being! Why I know this? Because I know the man on this photo. He is Jeff. He is my cousin Jeff, who lives in the Philippines. 

You see, this cousin of mine used to have so much going for him. He worked as a bartender in a crew ship. He sacrificed being an OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers). He was a family man, with a wife and 3 kids. He sacrificed not being with his family for few years, so he could provide for them. Provide well, he did! He had a lot going for him and had big dreams for his family! 

One day, those dreams were shattered. His life came crashing down hard. His marriage fell apart, like some people I know, where 1 partner is always away, but just got word that they are trying to get back together! He got into trouble in the crew ship he was working for and he ended up not being able to go back on a crew ship again! 

He had nowhere to go. He turned for help, to his Dad who had another family, his Mom who also had another family and eldest sister who was also going through a lot with her own marriage. His only brother, is nowhere to be found and hasn’t showed his face, to this very day. He had some problems of his own…who doesn’t, right?… and no one knows, if he is still alive! And finally, his other sister, who is here in the US, was his only source of financial help, at times! Sometimes, he would crash in his sister’s home, sometimes in his Mom’s home but he was more in his Dad’s home before. He has been trying to get back from this fall, to rise again…

However…

Prior to this world we live in now, his Dad passed away, due to his failing health, about 2 years ago, if I remember it well. And it put a blow on him again, because I know he was close to his Dad. Then the Covid era came! His youngest sibling, a half-sister, who had Down-syndrome, recently passed at the age of 34(?). In fact, as recent as Aug 25th. Followed by his Mother, on Aug 31st. And yet again, his Stepdad, few hours after his beloved Mama passed away. In a matter of few days, he lost 3 loved ones. They all succumbed to the Covid-19 virus.

It didn’t stop there! His eldest sister was just rushed to the Hospital! And prior to the hospital where his sister IS STILL waiting to be assessed by doctors and nurses (as of the date and time of writing his story), 4 hospitals rejected her, because there is just no room!!!  Not only did she have the Covid Virus, but based on the description they told us here in the U.S., she suffered a Stroke, having numbness on the left side of her body (arm, leg, etc) with speech impediment! His 2 nephews, who BTW, are Covid positive, as well, were the only ones taking turns right now, to wait with her in the ER. Apparently, the roof in her bedroom in their house was leaking bad, so she tried to clean it up, clearing stuff and dumping the water out. I just learned of this part few minutes ago! Not only that she was also dealing with all the pain of losing those same people mentioned above, but thinking about her 2 sons having the same Covid virus, as well as, Jeff, who is the subject of this story, she was also physically being strained and drained, with that roof leak, no pun intended. That’s why her body gave!!! 

Meanwhile, Jeff, who seemed to be doing well yesterday, is now dealing with that roof leak, as well! And I am afraid for him getting physically strained and drained, too, who is supposedly just be resting, while trying to recover from Covid. Boy, it sure did pour, when it rained…LITERALLY!!!

Bills??? 

If you don’t know Philippines, well, it’s not like the USA!!! I could tell you that much! There is PhilHealth there, but getting benefits was quite complicated in the case of his Mom and StepDad! It’s just another story to narrate and I’m not gonna go there! 

We all helped, along with his sister who is living in Florida, USA, as much as we could, and continue to do. But, with the eldest sister waiting in the ER, and likely admission, bills will continue to pile up! Roof of Jeff’ sister’s house need to get repaired, and eventually, if Jeff survives this ordeal, he will need money, to really get back on his feet and start all over again, including his marriage!  When I spoke to him on a video call yesterday, he said, “I still need Mamang, but I know, my 3 kids will still need me, so I need to be strong ~physically, mentally, emotionally (though I am numb right now), but my faith is stronger”! 

I could not imagine, for the life of me, what he is going through!!! What their family is going through. As mentioned, our family here in the US, and even over there in the Philippines are helping, the best way we could, in terms of moral support, prayers and some finances.  But he needs more financial help than we could ever provide…with the bills, roof leak, and eventually a small home he could call his own and a way of living he needs to build from the ground up, he could really use some financial assistance, so he can start all over again!!! 

And GoFundMe, came to mind! PLEASE, help if you can! Thank you, and may God bless you all!!!