SILVER-AGED WOMAN DETERMINED TO REACH HER DREAMS ONCE AGAIN

5/16/2018

8:00 AM 

A Deaconess from the locale of Binangonan district of Rizal continued her studies despite of her age. Sister Genelyn Gonzales, a 50-year old teacher, married with three children shared her inspirational story of her life that touched my heart and soul.  In the year 1987 she studied at West Naga College in Bacolod City with a secretarial course and graduated in 1989. After she finished her 2-year course, her mother set her up to marry the man she wanted for her for the sole reason that the guy is a son of her friend. 

Her mom is also suffering from a heart condition, which made her to unwillingly comply to her mom rather than upsetting her which in turn would affect her heart. Sister Genelyn and her husband moved to Manila for good in 1997 after their marriage and they start to build their family. They were blessed with three children and raised them properly. As they take on their marriage, she experienced trials that she doesn’t think it would be her life.

She did not expect that choosing her Mom over what she really wants would lead to a life of misery. Her husband does not treat her fairly she says, and entirely doesn’t trust her when it comes to money. According to her, she needs to ask permission from her husband every time she needs to spend money, even going as far as making her list all of the things she paid for just to convince her husband that she isn’t putting any money to waste. After all this, she pondered over her decisions and came to regret not reaching her dream. Her dream of graduating College and having a decent job, unlike where she is now.

Though she was hesitating to, she set aside her shame from all that she did to her mom and asked for financial assistance so that she can go finish her studies once and for all. Her mom, also filled with guilt and regret, finally supported her daughter to resume her studies once again. Though she already has her own family and is in her silver age, she didn’t mind what other people would think of her and set her eye on finally graduating college for better future. She informed her husband about her decision but rather than supporting her, he firmly told her not to go back to college and to just help him sell things at their stall. With this, endless arguments ensued and because of what their children are witnessing, they grew full of hate and anguish at their father.

Ka. Genelyn's Interview

She continued her studies at the age of 40 at Tomas Claudio Memorial College in 2008 with Bachelor of Secondary Education. She was the oldest among all of her classmates but it didn’t stop her from studying. I asked her if she did not feel embarrassed because she was the oldest, “No” she answered. “when you really want to get something done with you, you will ignore what other people may say or think about you.” She added. It breaks my heart to know that in order to support her financial needs and other expenses, she brings in her bag some ponytails, headbands, clams and school supplies and sell it every lunch break or whenever they have vacant hour. Imagine a 40-year old woman who wears a college uniform selling different stuff just to support her needs in school and in her personal needs. She graduated in 2012 and took up LET.

           

          Every day she conducts a devotional prayer to pass the examination because this is her dream and God answered it. In November 2012, the most awaited result of the exam came out. Out of her 12 batchmates that also took the exam, she was the only one who passed. “Alam mo Gilliane, napaka sarap pala sa pakiramdam ng may malaki kang tarpaulin sa school nyo na nandun ang picture at pangalan mo. Sobrang nakakaproud lang.” She said. She became popular among all the students that she encountered in school who greets and congratulates her. She got a job in august 2013 and became a full-time teacher at Pila-Pila Elementary School. She was fortunate enough to support her first born who has recently graduated. Her other two kids are also financially supported in their studies, one is in College and the other currently in High school. She continued her education from 2014 to 2016 with Master of Arts in Education at the New Era University. 

            After that 2-year course, she also took up doctorate degree in the same school and currently in line to graduate. I asked her how she managed being a mother, church officer, wife, and student... She only says time management, dedication and of course do not forget your duties to the lord God because He’s the only one who can help you. She still thinks about if she's going to continue her doctorate degree because she's 50 years old now but she also thinks that this is not the time she’ll give up after all that she went through. 

             Her story teaches us that education has no limit and age is not a barrier to have your dreams fulfilled and most of all always trust in the works of God because we cannot do everything by ourselves.