I am one of five children. When we were 17, 15, 10 (me), 8, and 3, our mom died of a heart attack. She was only 36. Our father, as the only breadwinner, worked hard to provide for us all.
Our 17-year-old sister became our mother and we all supported each other. We grew up very close to each other and all finished college by helping one another.
In 2010, our father died of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. Less than two years later, our oldest sister died of breast cancer at age 55. She was an elementary teacher in our Adventist school, a women’s ministry leader for over ten years, and a faithful follower of God.
The four of us remaining siblings clung to each other even more closely. I’m proud to say that our love and support grew even more.
Then, in April 2021 our older brother suddenly died of a heart attack at 61. We were all shocked again. Now it was only me and my two younger brothers.
In August 2023, my second younger brother was hospitalized due to a brain aneurysm. He was only 57. The month he spent in the ICU was the most painful time I had ever had. Every day I cried and worried about what was going to happen.
He was in the Philippines, and even though he had medical insurance, the insurance doesn’t pay until you’re discharged and it wasn’t much coverage. We were paying $1000 for each day in the ICU, not including daily medications, laboratory tests, MRI procedures, and professional/doctor’s fees.
As a family, we were running out of funds. We didn’t know what to do or where to go. My youngest brother and I were worrying and stressing out. All we could do is pray and ask our relatives and friends for help. A lot of people did help us.
Sad to say, my brother didn’t make it. After five weeks in the hospital, he died. It was very painful for me and my youngest brother. We couldn’t believe it was just the two of us.
Even though all these things happened to us, we are still standing in our faith. We never blamed or asked our God why these things happened to us. We just hold on to our faith and God’s promises, believing that our God will not let anything happen that we can’t make it through.
Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Jesus can feel our pain. He sees us when we’re hurting and He knows all our difficulties.
Never stop praying and believing, for He will carry you through. Psalms 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, ““Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
It still hurts. We cry at times. But we believe in God’s time we will heal.
Annabelle Custodio came to California from the Philippines in 1988; she is a nurse practitioner, wife to Eric for 32 years, and mom to Ricky and Richmond.