STORIES.

*I wrote this when I was a college freshie, in memory of my dad.
He'll be turning 43 on the 26th of April.
I miss him so much.






*It's been already 6.5 years since my Dad was rushed to the hospital because of cerebrovascular accident, or stroke. It was his first stroke - first yet very fatal. He suffered internal hemorrhage because of teh ruptured vessel on his brain from high blood pressure, and died.

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October 29, 2002 -- 7:30 pm.
It was no ordinary date and time. That was the night I lost my dad.

I was cooking dinner then when Mom called from the hospital. She's crying but pretending she's okay. She told me to come to the hospital immediately to see my dad. Death was really out of my mind.

Before entering Dad's suite, I was simply greeted by hugs and sobs. The door flew open and I saw my mom in a shocked state. I saw my dad on his bed, lifeless but still with respirators and any of those life-saving devices. Everybody's crying! I felt a chill down my spine, I froze when Mom shouted, "Your Daddy's gone. He left us na.."

Up until now, the images from that moment still vividly flash through my  mind and I'm still wondering why of all people, He'll take Dad with Him. Dad's been very good. Oh, I mean great! I can't remember a time he punished, whipped or slapped me. Yes, he already scolded me, several times. But how good was he during his days? He can't bear seeing us in pain when Mom's giving us a heavy hand. he'd take us to the restaurants and malls when we're doing well in school. Or even though we're not, he'd still treat us wherever we want to. He's very supportive in our academic standings. I remember him said, "It's not about the honors, awards and medals you received. It's about the knowledge you gain and the person you become because of the learnings you had from your school...", when my brother and I felt bad on just being a 3rd honor.

See? My dad's really great. He's a good provider, a lawful husband to mom, a loving dad to me, Bong and Nang, an obedient son to Papa and Mama, a supportive brother to Tita Nan, Tita Den and Tita Jeh, an affectionate uncle, a respectable employee of LGU - Polangui, a loyal friend. No one can doubt these attitudes. The flowers being sent to the wake and the number of people who attended the funeral can testify.

I really miss dad. Nothing could really make me happier than seeing him once again, hugging him, telling him how much we love him and how much we appreciate his efforts, playing mind-boogling games and trivias with him, laughing at his corniest jokes, having him teach us our Math lessons, having meals together, going to church together, and everything. It would probably be my greatest dream - to have him again. But I can't do any ways to get him back...

There's nothing quite as difficult to say goodbye to a dad. It's hard to live without a dad to support you. But then, I still have Mommy Aya, Bong and Nang, my family and my friends. I know they're always here for me.

It may be hard but all I need is to move on...

Daddy Bha is with God anyway...