The onset of the pandemic triggered everything to come avalanching down onto us, or at least from my perspective. Almost, I was nearly on the edge of my faith because believing in a merciful God was difficult for me at the time.

Maybe because of the hurt from losing a precious soul, the abrupt changes around me, and the constant worry I felt for my family that they might catch the virus- I was scared of losing one after another.

It was as if everything was happening, and I was experiencing everything all at once. I had gone astray. Instead of asking for guidance, I felt resentment that we were left so vulnerable to many pains. What changed? I thought to myself. It was then that it dawned on me that I had been so consumed by hurt that I failed to recognize that Jesus did not forsake us after all. It was through sharing His mother, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, "Ina," to us manifested through the warmth and love of my own Mama. Mama kept us going. It was a mystery to me how she handled everything- the loss, the struggle to make ends meet, and personal struggles unknown to me- until I realized that it was through the intercession of Ina, a mother who cares for her children.

Years later, we are now in a more favorable disposition, was unharmed by the virus, got through college despite the turbulent journey, and there are just too many things to be thankful for. Because of the love of the heavenly mother, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, that we, through Mama's example, found courage, warmth, and solace to get us through those trying times. Viva La Virgen!