Most family portraits often show a happy family smiling together or celebrating a moment that will always be remembered. But mine tells another story. My family portrait reflects the painful truth of my childhood—that my family broke apart. We were left under the care of our relatives while my parents went their separate ways. At first, it was so hard to accept. I remember how empty our home felt. The laughter, the comfort, the warmth—it all seemed to vanish. As days passed, I learned to live with it, but deep inside, I always asked—are we really okay? And the answer was no.
I longed for the care of a mother whenever I was sick or in special moments like graduation. I longed for the guidance and discipline of a father who could teach me right from wrong. I longed for my sisters, whose joy once filled our home. But when our family broke apart, these longings felt like an impossible dream.
As time passed, life changed. My mother built a new family, and my father also found a new partner. My sisters and I grew older, but nothing felt the same. Still, one thing gave me strength—my father never abandoned us. He supported us no matter what, showing me that love can remain even in brokenness.
From this, I learned that family is not only about being physically complete, but about the love that binds us together. A home is not measured by walls or roofs, but by care, support, and presence. And though my childhood was marked by separation, it taught me to value unity, loyalty, and love.
by Post. Mark Nhel Versoza
SVD Postulancy 
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