MY FATHER has long passed. Kicked the bucket. Joined the Creator. It happened one uneventful day in August, I forgot what year. I received a call from my mother asking me to come home and assess my father’s status.
He has been bedridden for quite some time but was still conversant. You get used to seeing your loved one like this, sadly, but you continue to pray and hope for the best, for brighter days to come and shine on them enough. You try to never lose hope and see them smile, perhaps even converse with you a bit longer than usual.
It was exactly one of those days, he was cheery as I waved goodbye to meet up with friends. The night before he had unexpectedly said “thank you” to me; for what I would only know the day after.
I remember reminding him to eat his meals sitting up and to drink his meds as I turned to leave to which, he just smiled, nodded, and then waved me away. Unsuspectingly, I went on my way.
When I got home to see how he was, I knew I had to bring him to the hospital to make him feel comfortable. He didn't like being brought to the hospital so I reassured him it will be just to make him feel better and that we would come home right after that.
He went home, alright. I just never thought he would be going home to God. He joined Our Father that day. It took more than a year for me to accept it.
After all the many years that Father’s Day have passed, I still get that sad feeling around this special day. I get emotional every time I go past his picture, the last taken of him that rests on our altar surrounded by flowers, religious statues and prayer booklets.
From all the years that I have lived without him, the sad feeling never really goes away, you just learn to endure it.
So, today being Father’s Day, to those who still have their Papa, Daddy, Dada, Tatay or whatever term of endearment you use to refer to the man, give him a hug, a kiss and please tell him how much you love him and appreciate his efforts to make sure you turn out to be an awesome human being.
Tell him personally, upfront, face to face to show him that you mean it while you still can. Do not take time for granted.
And for those like me who spend this day reminiscing the good old days, it’s okay to cry and feel sad. Of course, we miss them! There will always be a hole in our hearts (and a huge void in our lives) in the shape of him. Let’s just pour over those good memories we shared with them when they were still around and revel in the love and comfort they gave because that feeling never ends.
Happy Father’s Day Everyone! :)