FROM A SOLDIERS DAUGHTER

By:Hermae Peach Joven Benebile (RN)
Daughter of SMS Billy C Benebile (Inf) PA
Bn Sergeant Major, CMOBn, CMOG, PA

 

 

 

         During the hours of my solitude, I sometimes ponder on the thought of “what if I was a child of a non-military man”. What if my father was not a soldier? Would I have grown up into what I am now? Will my priorities in life be different?

At twenty one, I have been used to having my papa out in the field almost all the time. Perhaps because of the nature of his work, at most he spends ten or fifteen days at home in every three or six months. The rest of his time is purely spent on his work.
        
         All my life, this has been the usual pattern. I wonder how mom had adapted to this. But as days and years went on, I’ve noticed our situation to be quite unique. Know what? Excitement begins when mom tells us that papa might be home for the week end. Mom and my two brothers would start thinking of what to do and where to go the moment papa comes home. But wait! A bit of tension is cropping up my mind too.
        
         Since childhood, there had been lots of do’s and dont’s when it comes to policies at home. Of course, every time papa comes home, he makes sure discipline is being observed with strict compliance. He finds time to talk to us personally on what have we done and what we have been into lately. Being the eldest and the only girl among the siblings of three, I am close to my mom (of course, women can relate easily with each other) but I think I am much closer to papa because I feel more free when he’s present rather that when he’s absent. He’s very strict and snob to my classmates. He’s always counseling us whenever my classmates visit me at home. But I know that deep inside, he’s a very warm-hearted person. He is not only a father to us but a friend as well, a very good friend at that.

         Regarding the fun that common children experience especially on weekends, we sort of missed this. Most of all, we missed father’s presence at home. Though somewhat unusual, we’ve adjusted to the situation. Mom was always there to fill the void. She’d always tell us that everything papa does is for all of us. We are also given that one privilege others don’t have – spending a vacation with him in his place of assignment during Christmas or summer vacation. Of course, we can only avail this privilege depending on how good we have done at home and in school. This had been a tradition for us. But the bargain is quite inspiring. Imagine, at an early age, we come to visit famous tourist places in Mindanao, Manila, Cebu, and Panay Island. Isn’t that a terrific experience?
        
         That’s why I will always cherish every moment of being a soldier’s daughter and that is without a bit of discontentment.