Thanking Dad

Dear Daddy,

Two years ago, I wrote you one of my most heartfelt letters. Today, I feel like I need to write you another one because of late, you keep showing in my dreams. Besides, it's your birthday tomorrow.

I see now that tributes to fathers are never over. In my last letter, I told you how we were doing a year after your death. I was describing to you our preparations for Onin's wedding, Arons and family's immigration to US, CIndy's hardwork because she was helping out Mama renovate the house and Carmie's new job and her relationship with Rei (which by the way is no longer existent). And then, I talked about the emotional turmoil I was going through at that moment and I said I can't complain because if complaining (or venting out your difficulties) attract more misfortunes in life, then these are things I can't afford to further have.

Well, I still miss you. It's hard to keep a dry eye while saying this. I just wanted to say I'm sorry that I still keep on calling your name unnecessarily when I should be telling you to go where peace is. Recently, I've been really, really sick and I've been crying for you to help me out. Then in my dream that night, you were telling Mama and Onin that you have willed yourself to come back to life because we were clamoring for you. That was vivid. 

I never doubted that you would take lengths to protect us. See, even beyond your life you wanted to stress that. And don't worry now as we have gotten the point long ago. When you have bravely seized burglars, confronted stalkers, peacebreakers, etc around our house. It's so given to say that I'm proud you were my father (an understatement actually). O well, most people are proud of their fathers, but not all  fathers can cook pizza the way you did, can coach basketball as well as you did, can compose and sing as well as you did, can writes speeches as well as you did and can inspire people the way you did. Not all fathers complete the Simbang Gabi with special petition for their children. And definitely, not all fathers can mount 4 to 5 young daughters on a motorcycle for an early morning drive around the countryside.

Thank you dad for the memories (there are still many of them). And co-crediting mama, thank you for the gift of faith. I will never forget the story of how for a week before you died, you were wearing the same polo and jeans tandem every morning to  mass because Mama (who was attending a 3-week training in UP) forgot to leave the key to your bedroom and you never wanted to force open the door because you hated to ruin it. Then you would wash that pair of clothes everytime you arrive from the mass.

And most of all thank you for not being bitter the whole time you just have 5 daughters. That was quite tough considering how as a basketball coach you were in school, you can never have your own team in the family let alone a single son. When asked how many children you have..you simply say;

"Oh I have 5. Four girls and 1………. daughter." 

May God take care of you the way He takes care of us……for you. Happy Birthday!!!

Loveyah,

Rowie