September 20 is a significant day for me. It was my dad’s birthday. He passed away a long time ago back in 1996. If there are words that could be linked to him, it would be discipline and temper. Discipline because he wants everything in order. Clutter irritates him so our house is spic and span. Neither can we have sleepovers with our friends or go home late at night.
My dad also had bursts of temper that we all feared. I never directly experienced his temper as compared to my brothers who would from time to time do some mischief. He had a bad temper that we all knew not to test or provoke it. It is this temperament that I think brought about his stroke. He survived 3 strokes mainly because of his willpower.
But today, on his birthday, I choose to remember my father not of his fiery disposition nor his being rigid but rather, his soft side that I knew and love. On the days when he was at home, I would sit comfortably on his lap. I would tag along with him whenever he went to the bank, park, movies or to his favorite restaurant.
As a child, I was sickly and would be in and out of the hospital. He would sit by my bedside when my mom was not around. He would give me hugs and kisses and assure me that everything will be alright when I am feverish. Thanks to his dedication in bringing me to a specialist all the way to Makati, my asthma was controlled even before I reached my teens. It could have gotten worse if the treatments were not consistent.
There was also this instance wherein I was 5 or 6 years old, he promised that he would buy me an ice cream the moment I got well. And he did buy me an ice cream the day that we left the hospital. On our way home, he stopped at an ice cream parlor, asked me to wait inside the car. When he came out, he had a big ice cream cone on his hand!
He sent us all to good private schools and provided well for our family. In my growing up years, I never experienced being deprived despite him being very frugal. We would always have new clothes and shoes for the holidays, new bags and uniforms at the start of the school year.
He instilled in me assertiveness and having my own opinions. He said I should learn how to drive when I grow up and should make my own money. He told us that having your own business is better than being an employee. He told me that every five years, there should be a positive change in myself.
My father has an influence as to who I am today. He may have had his unpleasant qualities but I know that he tried his best to do what is right for us. And for that, I thank him.
My dad also had bursts of temper that we all feared. I never directly experienced his temper as compared to my brothers who would from time to time do some mischief. He had a bad temper that we all knew not to test or provoke it. It is this temperament that I think brought about his stroke. He survived 3 strokes mainly because of his willpower.
But today, on his birthday, I choose to remember my father not of his fiery disposition nor his being rigid but rather, his soft side that I knew and love. On the days when he was at home, I would sit comfortably on his lap. I would tag along with him whenever he went to the bank, park, movies or to his favorite restaurant.
As a child, I was sickly and would be in and out of the hospital. He would sit by my bedside when my mom was not around. He would give me hugs and kisses and assure me that everything will be alright when I am feverish. Thanks to his dedication in bringing me to a specialist all the way to Makati, my asthma was controlled even before I reached my teens. It could have gotten worse if the treatments were not consistent.
There was also this instance wherein I was 5 or 6 years old, he promised that he would buy me an ice cream the moment I got well. And he did buy me an ice cream the day that we left the hospital. On our way home, he stopped at an ice cream parlor, asked me to wait inside the car. When he came out, he had a big ice cream cone on his hand!
He sent us all to good private schools and provided well for our family. In my growing up years, I never experienced being deprived despite him being very frugal. We would always have new clothes and shoes for the holidays, new bags and uniforms at the start of the school year.
He instilled in me assertiveness and having my own opinions. He said I should learn how to drive when I grow up and should make my own money. He told us that having your own business is better than being an employee. He told me that every five years, there should be a positive change in myself.
My father has an influence as to who I am today. He may have had his unpleasant qualities but I know that he tried his best to do what is right for us. And for that, I thank him.
1 comment:
A father is a wonderful personality in a family. Touching remembrance.
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