It's hard to lose your remaining parent. My mom passed away five years ago, my husband has also lost both his parents. My dad was the last connection our children had to "the past".
It's hard to write about him, a complex human being that brings out complex emotions in my heart. He was a good man, a good husband, a good dad, a good "lolo" (grandpa). He was funny, bright, ambitious, a pillar/pioneer and a highly- respected figure in our small community back in the old country. He taught us to value the finer things in life despite our poverty. He was always impeccably dressed. He wanted us, in his own words, to be better than him. He was our first English language teacher as he required us to talk to him only in English when we were younger. And how that helped me in life especially in high school! English was always my best subject (don't ask about the rest! LOL), all thanks to my dad.
He had a very simple faith. He prayed the rosary everyday. The first thing he does in the morning is to pray. He prays for anything, everything and everybody. It used to amuse me to hear all these things he prays for (he's a very vocal pray-er). The funny thing is now I find myself doing the same thing - praying for anything, everything and everybody.
I have so many fond memories of him, the kind that words cannot describe. The not-so-fond memories are par for the course for any father-daughter relationship. He is not perfect, no one is. As much as I would like to relegate him amongst the saints in heaven, I have to abide by the eschatological teaching of the Church. And to that end I continue to pray for his eternal salvation.
I'm currently going through photos album, digital and otherwise. Here are some of my faves:
Thank you tatay for the memories! We love you so much.
 |
| feeding Pablo |
 |
| he loved his grandkids |
 |
| playing with the kids |
 |
| with the girl |
 |
| with the oldest who is now almost 12 years old |
So sorry! May Eternal Light shine upon your father. God bless !
ReplyDelete