In the most challenging times, despite all the help, your future still lies on you.

Have you learned something valuable from past Septembers? Tell us how it helped you.

This question from the blogging topic of @hiveph makes me fall into deep thought. Was there anything I learned from this month? As far as I can remember, there is one unforgettable memory: I was infected by the COVID-19 Delta Variant**. Facebook reminds me of days ago.

What happened when I learned I was infected?

Others here may already know my desires and, at the same time, my frustrations as I wanted to get pregnant. I did long to see these two lines which means positive in a pregnancy test, yet not in a COVID test! I remembered sending this picture to my husband, family, and my two close friends. You know what was the reaction from one of them? She greeted me Congratulations. 🤣

At first, I was fine since I didn't have any symptoms besides a runny nose and a loss of smell, which is quite normal since I had allergic rhinitis. Everything only sank when all my lady housemates and officemates left the house since I was put into quarantine. Imagine living in a huge five-bedroom house alone. Not to mention you couldn't go out? That night, while on my bed, thinking the worst thing might happen, I broke down. The thought that what if I won't survive? I can't imagine the pain my husband will feel going back to the country, and instead of me greeting him, all he could see was my URN. How devastating would it be?

At that time, I perfectly understood why there are a lot of infected individuals didn't survive. Aside from being physically ill, that mental torture wasn't a joke.

After a while, our HR manager, told us in our group chat, yes We (as I was with my male officemates who are also positive. They are in the next house.), that our Boss sent everything we needed. Oximeter to monitor our oxygen level, thermometer for the fever. If anything gets worse, then the Oxygen tank is ready! That time was the peak of the Delta** virus, and buying this thing was not that easy. I appreciate the company I am working with, as they didn't leave us hanging. It was also because we were all assigned to our main office handling key positions. They need us, plus they didn't want someone to DIE on their property, right?

I might be alone in the hardest times, but I feel loved.

One of my close friends sent me food upon knowing my current health issues. She said she almost cried after I delivered the news to her.

Even my housemates, HR, and Admin would chat with us about what we needed as they would drop by after their shift to send what I needed. If not, the company driver would be the one to do it. One of them even sent us a box of oranges, and since we were only five, I felt that my teeth were already tingling from overeating.

My travel buddy sent me my favorite chocomon from Pandemanila, which came with my preferred chips.

Vicks to help me breathe well, and I used it during the steam bath.

Even if we were transferred to the local facility, sometimes food was delivered to my area. Courtesy of them. Yes, Jollibee! Chicken joy with with spaghetti, kasi BIDA and Saya!

There are also times when they would video call me out of the blue checking how am I. I know they just wanted to know my health condition, but at the time, I felt irritated. Talking to anyone was the last thing I wanted to do.

In the most challenging times, despite all the help, your future still lies on you.

I had all the support, medicines were provided, and I had no problem with food. There were a lot of supplies. The only problem was taking care of myself even though I was unwell. Despite body pains, I needed to move and prepare my food despite having no appetite. Sometimes, I woke up in the middle of the night and felt like I was dying. It was a terrifying night that I ended up unable to sleep well for days, thinking I might not wake up. Anxiety is building up. Anticipating in the following days, I might feel worse.

Why are you thinking of the worst? Why not expect to feel well the next few days?. One time, my husband said. Oh yeah, right! Well, I did survive, thankfully, because I chose my future to live more. Besides, I was fully vaccinated at that time, lol. What I experienced was not that bad physically; it was more on mental stress Overthinking

That was one of the reasons why I joined blogging. To keep myself busy and the same time. I did make the right decision.

At least I could tell my future grandchildren that I was a part of the history of that pandemic.

You might want to join @ruffatotmeee

Hello Filipino community this is my entry for this month blogging contest.

September Blogging Contest: #RememberSeptember