After 23 Years, This Family Was Finally Able to Renovate Their Home
They used the money they received from a loved one's insurance claim to give the old house a needed makeover
Nothing compares to the grief and sadness the loss of a loved one brings, especially if it happens unexpectedly. The best we can do is honor the lives of those we’ve lost, find comfort in the happy memories, and know there’s always a silver lining in the end. This is exactly what Jane Petalver and her family did in 2021, after they lost her brother John to COVID-19.
Fixing the house had to take a back seat
According to Jane, their family leads a simple life and her parents value good education. Her father, Elpidio, is a tricycle driver while their mother, Suzie, is a housewife. Instead of having their house fixed years ago, the couple decided to save up for their children’s school expenses.
When Jane and John started working in 2015, they made it a mission to help their parents and provide for the family. Since their youngest brother, Joshua, was still studying then, they had to make ends meet.
Jane has her eyes set on a better future, to say the least. At a young age, she has learned the importance of preparing for things to come which often surprises her parents. In 2018, John decided to get insured to make the most of his monthly salary. Back then, their parents didn’t like the idea of getting insured. For them, it was too early to think about such things, saying they’re healthy and would just be spending more money. Little did they know, getting insured is one of the best decisions John made.
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A renovated home achieved, thanks to insurance
The pandemic has upended many lives, with many families losing loved ones to the virus. Sadly, the Petalvers lost John to COVID-19 in 2021, an unexpected loss they had to deal with. “Masakit para sa amin ang bigla niyang pagkawala, pero alam namin na may planong mas maganda ang Diyos,” says Jane.
With the money they got from John’s insurance, the family was finally able to have their home renovated. Until the very end, John had his family’s welfare covered. After 23 years, the house finally has a proper ceiling and each room looks inviting.
See the rest of the transformation below:
After the renovation, the house now has a proper ceiling, making sure they are safe from the elements.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
Prior to renovation, the house had unfinished walls which they still decorated. The living area now has cleaner and painted walls, a proper seating piece, and decor, to boot.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
When it comes to small spaces, making the most of each area counts. The family was able to carve out a dining space completed with a round dining table that matches the new color palette.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
The kitchen used to have open cabinets and was lacking proper storage. To give it a new look, they made sure to prioritize adding cabinets, clearing the countertop, and installing a simple backsplash.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
READ: This Couple Gave an Amazing Makeover to Their 36-Year-Old Rental Apartment
The newly renovated bedroom now has proper flooring, a new bed, and a fixed ceiling.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
To keep clutter at bay, they also added storage options. Simple and comfortable, the bedroom has a welcoming ambiance that's ideal for sleeping.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
Using the budget, they were also able to revamp the bathroom which involved finishing the walls and replacing the door.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
Simple yet functional, the old bathroom had unfinished walls and basic fixtures. The new T&B has patterned tiles sprucing up the walls and even the flooring looks polished.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
Despite life's challenges, the Petalvers are remaining optimistic about the future. With a refreshed home and loved one guiding them from above, they are ready to mark more milestones as a family.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE PETALVER
This story originally appeared on Smartparenting.com.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Realliving.com.ph editors.
