Our genes

Our grandparents and great-grandparents may no longer walk beside us, yet their presence continues to live within us. Even in their absence, we still respect them, fear disappointing them, and silently seek their guidance. Though we have grown older with time, our thoughts often remain immature before the wisdom they carried. Their experiences, sacrifices, and values continue to teach us lessons that life itself cannot replace.

I often count their birth anniversaries and wonder how old they would have been if they were still with us today. When we truly calculate the ages of our grandparents and ancestors, many of them would have crossed more than 150 years through the generations they continue to inspire. Their courage, resilience, and strength still encourage us to live with greater valor and purpose.

I miss every one of them deeply, yet I feel they are never truly gone. They live within our genes, within our habits, our smiles, our struggles, and our strength. Whenever I face difficulties, I look at their photographs and think of them. In those quiet moments, my heart finds relief, comfort, and blessings.

We may never fully know how real God is, but our ancestors are real for certain. They lived, loved, struggled, and protected us long before we were born. I believe they continue to care for us even now. When we remember them and pray to them with sincerity, their presence surrounds us, because they exist within God and within us.

— Jessy Jacob