A Happy Father’s Month
26 May- Comments Leave a Comment
- Categories Communication, Education, Philippines, Short Stories, Writing
A Happy Father’s Month
26 MayIn relation to the death anniversary of my father this May 27 (Memorial Day) and wonderful celebration of the Father’s Day, I would like to pay tribute to him for being a great father. I was born without a father figure in our family. My parents got separated when my mother was in 3 month-pregnant on me. My father had second family but still he did not forget to visit us about once or twice a year. I did not know him before. I thought he was just only a family guest visiting us. When my father visited us, my older sister next to me excitedly and happily went to him and kiss his hand as a sign of respect. If he arrived and I am playing, I just continued playing and say to my sister, “Your father arrives.” I did not know that my father had talked to my sister asking help for introducing him to me as my father. One day, after my father enrolled me in high school as freshman, he took me to a restaurant. We ate together. That was the moment when he got the chance to introduce himself to me. He said, “Do you know me?’ I could not answer quickly. I am just looking at him. Then, he continued, “I am your father.” I could not imagine his feelings and emotions that time but he had the courage to say it to me. I could not describe how I feel that time at the age of 12. I felt I had already a complete family even I know only just a couple of hours because he should go back to his work and second family which is too far from us. He accompanied me to buy school things that I need and buy fresh foods in the wet market. We went back home together and have a good lunch with my mother and other family members. Before he departed and said goodbye, it was the first time that I kissed his hand as a sign of respect to my father.
I was a high school junior when I got sick badly. I had been seen by the medical doctor, people using natural medicines but my health condition was getting worse. I having a high fever then chilly temperature. I got diarrhea and throwing up. I got lose weighs in just few days. I was absent for more than a week already in school. I remembered that week was our school exams of all subjects. My mother was so bothered and worried about me. She could not work, eat and sleep well. My father who was living and working too far can cure or heal somebody who is sick. His background career was in military but he had a special ability to cure some illnesses. I knew and witnessed it personally. So I requested to my mother to telegraph my father immediately. Early morning the following day, my father rushed into our house and cured me with his prayers and certain medicinal herb extracts. He really rescued my life. I thought I would die that early age.
When I got a chance to live with my father when I started to go into college, he treated me fairly with his second family. We never had any conflicts while living with them in spite of my father’s condition that was one-blind eye due to the call of duty as a great policeman and one-amputated leg due to diabetes. He was no longer working in the hospital that time as a security guard but he was still earning a living for us and well-known in their community as an herbal doctor.
He was a loving father who is ready to provide the family needs. I never saw my father having arguments or conflicts with my mother. They settled down certain conflicts nicely and appropriately. My father was also a great singer and dancer during his times. Because of his talents, he was frequently invited by some local politicians in fiestas and other special occasions such as weddings just to entertain the guests through his traditional songs and dances.
Although we had bonded together for a very short time but the quality time that he gave for his families that matters most to me. I understand him. I felt his love and presence as a father to all of us regardless of distance, family status and life challenges.
We really miss you, Tatay. We love you so much. Happy Father’s Day to all.
Tags: care, child, children, daughter, doctor, family, family member, father, father's gift, fatherhood, great father, happy father's day, herbs, heroic father, love, loving father, mother, parenthood, son
- Comments 5 Comments
- Categories Communication, Education, Philippines, Short Stories, Writing
Aging Mother
3 MayOur mother is the greatest person that we ever known in the world. She is our role model of traditions, family values and love. Our mother devotes her entire life and sacrifices many things for the welfare of her family. Our mother makes sure that all of her children are always in good condition with or without her husband’s support. But what if our mother is getting old now, does she deserve to be cared for her needs? Absolutely Yes, it is our obligation as her children to take good care of her to the rest of her life. What does an aging mother need? Just like what a baby needs, let us consider the most essential things below.
Aging mother needs daily basic needs.
Our mother needs nutritious foods to sustain healthy life. She needs clean clothes, bed sheets and blankets. Our mother needs a family home and living together with her own children. She feels happy with her own children and grandchildren.
Aging mother needs medical help and healthy habits.
Our mother needs the help of a medical doctor to monitor her health regularly as she gets older. She needs to practice healthy habits like personal hygiene, enough sleep, getting fresh air and does simple physical exercises daily.
Aging mother needs our time.
Providing the basic needs for our mother is not enough, she needs also our precious time with her. No matter how busy we are, no matter how poor or wealthy we are, we as her children should provide a quality time with her. Our mother wants us to listen to her stories frequently. She also listens to the stories that we want to share with her. Quality bonding time is necessary to cherish the good memories with our mother as she lives with us. Try to take a walk with her in a very awesome and wonderful environment. Talk to your mother with all your heart and let your mother feels that you really love her very much.
Aging mother needs you
Do you know how important you are to your mother? You are so important to her. Do not ever leave the opportunity to take good care of your mother. Because if you will ignore this kind of opportunity to your mother, you do not know what will happen next. Time comes that you cannot ever hear her voice and stories. You cannot ever hear her advises. You cannot ever see her smiling and laughing with your funny jokes. No more mother to receive your Mother’s Day greeting card. No more mother to wake you up in the morning. No more mother to prepare your favorite meals. You cannot ever hug and comfort her with your loving arms. You cannot ever go together again to the church, shopping malls, birthday parties, beaches, fiestas and other special occasions. Definitely, you will really miss her presence.
Therefore, what are you waiting for? It is not too late. Act now. Wherever you are, always remember your dearest mother. Have a “Happy Mother’s Day!”
Tags: aging mother, basic needs, children, elderly, family, family values, Happy Mother's Day, health, home, mother, motherhood, senior citizen, shelter
- Comments 3 Comments
- Categories Education, Holidays, Philippines, Short Stories, Writing
Archives
- January 2024
- November 2023
- July 2023
- June 2022
- December 2021
- October 2021
- August 2021
- August 2020
- December 2019
- April 2019
- November 2018
- August 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- December 2017
- September 2017
- July 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- May 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- November 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- January 2015
- November 2014
- August 2014
- May 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- October 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012