Remembering Dad

Father’s day just passed and I remember my dad. I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness as I remember him. I miss him terribly even though it's almost 20 years since he died. He was taken by the Lord at an early age of 50 on November 4, 1990. He met an accident on his way home and never made it to the house. The tricyle he rode was bumped by a Nissan Pathfinder. He was brought to the hospital by good samaritans. We learned that he met and accident through our neighbor. He was driving home when he heard over at DZRH that a person with the exact name of my Dad is in need of a blood donor to be operated on because he met an accident. Our neighbor went to QC General Hospital but as his blood was being taken, my dad expired. My dad died alone without us beside him. Our neighbor fetched us and told us that dad had an accident. The minute he told us, I was crying because I felt at that moment that Daddy was gone. Maybe my dad just didn't want to inconvenience us, that is why the Lord took him that way.

When we arrived at the hospital, we were ushered to the mortuary. The caretaker there gave me back my dad's clothes, his wallet and his watch. There in the cold morgue I saw his face..his handsome face. His eyes seemed like they were looking up to heaven. He seems to be praying and talking to the Lord. He died in an accident but his face didn't even have any scratch and he seemed peaceful. My aunt and I closed his eyes. I wanted to hug him but I just froze. We never had a chance to say goodbye to him. I felt at that time that there was so much to say...so much to do...but it was too late. My beloved dad was dead. He will never hear what I want to say. I will never see him again.

Being the eldest, I was the closest to him. I remember him taking care of me when I was sick. He would accompany me when I was taking entrance exams. He was always there. That is why, it was so hard for me to accept his death. It took me 12 years before I finally accepted his death. This was after I lead a life of rebellion...I guess I fully accepted it when my eldest daughter was born in 2003. It hit me that now I have a new role to play and that is being a good mom to my baby.

After 3 years, I gave birth to my son JM. As he was growing up, I saw his growing resemblance to my Dad, his smile and he has these mannerisms that were so much like my dad. I am thinking that maybe it was heaven's way of making me see that Dad will always be there for me.

We must show our love for our parents, kids, husbands, partners, etc. every day. We shouldn't wait at the last moment for it might be too late.

Happy Father's Day Dad! I know that you are in a better place now. Don't worry about us. Please pray and interceed for us here on earth. I love you dad...forever you will be remembered.