Home for Christmas

All eyes were on that fateful plane ride as Mary Jane Veloso, a mother and a victim, returned to the Philippines from Indonesia. Reports say she narrowly escaped death row when her illegal recruiter was apprehended just moments before she was scheduled to be executed. It seemed as though she had cheated death --but perhaps, it was never truly meant to claim her. The moment she embraced her now-grown sons was nothing short of priceless. Here was a woman, deprived of her liberty for the past 15 years, finally home for Christmas.

Tracing the timeline of Veloso’s case reveals how its progress reflected the priorities and attitudes of the political administrations that presided over it. Her legal counsel worked tirelessly, navigating shifting policies and public sentiments, to secure the best possible outcome for a crime she unknowingly became entangled in. Like so many others, she was simply seeking better opportunities abroad because her home country could not offer her the means to provide for her two children. It was the unrelenting struggle of daily life that pushed her to board that plane, carrying the hopes of a brighter future for her family.

There is no greater feeling than being home for Christmas. Even though Veloso will remain in a correctional facility, the warmth and support of her fellow Filipinos will undoubtedly help fill the void in her heart. As the old adage goes, "There’s no place like home." Yet, another saying reminds us, "Home is where the hurt is." For Veloso, the hurt was born from the lack of opportunities that forced her to leave her family behind. For many of us, the hurt may stem from unresolved family conflicts, estrangements, or the absence of loved ones who once filled our homes with life and laughter.

Whatever the reason for our pain, we hold on to the belief that time heals all wounds. In today’s fast-paced world, time often feels like a luxury, but its passage allows us to reflect, recover, and move forward. As fleeting moments soften the sting of past wrongs, they grant us the strength to forgive --not only others but also ourselves-- and to release the burdens we carry. No family is perfect, yet it is within those imperfections that we often find enduring love, joy, and hope.

As countless others make their way home for Christmas this weekend, I wish you nothing but a safe journey and a meaningful reunion. Whether by bus, plane, or boat, may your travels bring you the closure you seek or the peace of mind you long for. Our homes --no matter how flawed or imperfect-- remain the places where our values were shaped, the foundation of our resilience, and the source of our strength.

This Christmas, as you step into the familiar halls of your home, may you find warmth, love, and the courage to face the future. Embrace the road ahead and cherish the journey, for it is in these moments that we rediscover what truly matters.