Leaving No Soldier's Orphan Behind

I was 8 months old when my father left us for good. I mean left us forever.

My father was a soldier. He was a good husband and a father to us (as what my mother told me).
I'm only 6 years old I guess, when I experienced and understand fully my situation.
It was FAMILY DAY. Of course, this event should require a family. I mean, at least a mother, the child and a father would attend.
I was so embarrassed to attend the said event because I know, for myself, that I don't have that FAMILY. I only had my mother and MYSELF. NO FATHER at all. That was my mentality before, that a real family should have a mother, a child and a father. Not until I reached Grade 1, one of the most painful part of my life. Our teacher gave us an assignment to make a Family Tree. When it's my turn to recite, I explained my work. Then our teacher asked me why I only have me and my Mama's picture in my family tree. I then answered with no hesitation, "Wala man koy papa Ma'am" (I don't have a father Ma'am). Right then and there, I fully realized that, I am alone.
From my elementary years I become an achiever. I do everything with all the best I can. I joined extra-curricular activities, made friends, laughed. But at the end of each days, I still feel abandoned.

When I reached high school, I still pursued being an achiever, making myself realized that, my father left with a reason. I made it always on the top bearing in mind that, what I have right now, is because of him. My father though now in heaven, still had the way to make our life worry-free. Because of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I am a proud scholar. They help the sons and daughters even the widowed wives of their soldiers, to be worry-free. They give scholarships to the children of those soldiers.
I once blamed the Lord for taking my father away from us. But now, I now understand everything. I know he has a plan for us. Because I know he won't let us down.
Now that I reached college, I am very much proud of my father, though I wasn't able to see him personally. I thank the Lord for always giving us strength to survive each day.
I've been through a lot of hardships. Even I'm in my college years, I still experienced those pains. There are instances wherein, FAMILY is always the topic. I can't help myself but to cry. But I know, I will feel better soon. I know that in my heart, i can surpass these challenges. And I thank also my mother for always being there. For being so supportive in my endeavors in life. <3