Small Girl’s Little Baby Sister

Jesebel Mari, born on the 16th of October 1993, is the younger sister of Josie Mae Mari, whose story (Small Girl, Big Dreams) has previously been featured in these pages. Their stories therefore run parallel to each other.

During the most difficult and toughest period their family had gone through, when their mother and father incessantly quarreled, sometimes on a physical level, it was her Ate (elder sister) that hugged her tightly and protected her. Their only brother, who was actually the second-born among the three siblings, merely ran out to seek shelter and solace elsewhere.

Ate was her defensive shield and she was her precious reason for staying strong in spite of the turbulence surrounding them. Most probably, too, she was the cause, as a very vulnerable child, that the bickering of their parents have not gone overboard nor resulted in complete separation. Maybe that was why they nicknamed her Apple, for indeed they regarded her as “the apple of their eyes”.

The squabbles between their parents have now subsided a great deal; they have apparently resolved or compromised some issues that have affected the family relationship for so long. The congregation they belong to, doubtless likewise provided impetus and encouragement. Even their brother, who had almost become a streetwise hooligan, already turned a new leaf and would soon graduate from high school.

Today Jesebel feels more safe and secured, surrounded by many people that care for her, naturally including Ate, plus a close friend Francie Kris (A Rightfully Guided Very Young Life) and her god-sister Adinjoy (When I Grow Up I Want To Be). Although still taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management course in a leading university, she now works with her Ate in an online marketing home-based business.

Nevertheless, like Ate, who is her mentor, guide, model, idol, icon all rolled into one, she chooses not to have a separate love life yet. She does not want to clutter her mind with anything apart from work, school, home, and of course, church. She knows the Divine Provident will give her the perfect partner in life, all in good time.

Anyway, at 17, she has a lot more goals to get busy with, and plenty of ambitions to focus on.