FATHER

What is a father? For most of us father is a person whom we can depend on. But ask yourself is it just a person whom we can depend on? A particular person who’s always with us? A man that just inheriting their surname? Is this the meaning of father?

There are 3 fathers in our life. The god father, whom we praise and love above all other things, our forefathers whom we look back to and our father whom we owe our life. A short story about my father who’s also known as Ricardo Florentino.

Ricardo Florentino, 4^th child and a blessing to my grandparents. Graduated and now working in a large company in Middle East, my father has shown many things, things that no one can. Enumerating these things can make you nauseous for these things are as long as you think it may. We call him Papa but his just not our father; he is also our friend and guardian. His ways of molding his kids are no different from other fathers except the way he treats his children. Some father are there for their children and some are not, some are working and some are just sitting pretty on a comfortable chair letting their children do the job. Well our father, for me is an exceptional father, he works real hard just to support us; he never rests just to ensure our future (well off course he do rest but not the kind of rest most lazy fathers do). Money means nothings to him as long as he has us, his family, he’s contented and happy.

A unique person that we cherish. A unique person that we love. Most of his times are spent working but we do not blame him for being a workaholic dad but we are proud of him, why? Because we know that he works because he has, he works because he has his own reasons. Reasons that the three of us know.

A distance that made us misses him a lot. A distance that made our bond stronger than ever, and a distance that even love and care can travel thru. A love and care that never leaves our heart all of these years. A love that he has already shown to us many time over and still showing it no matter what and now matter how. A care which we felt many years ago and still feeling it every now and then.

So after this short story you’ve read………..don’t you wish you had a father like I do, a father that you can say out loud that he is your father? How lucky we are for having such a father and how unlucky those who have a father but doesn’t know that real meaning of having a father. Well…..think once, think twice and tell yourself “am I the lucky one or the unlucky one?”.

HOLLOW CHRISTMAS

What is Christmas? Most of us would say “birth of Christ”. But what does really Christmas means. Is it just a celebration? One out of ten people knows the answer. Christmas is a time where Jesus our messiah was born; it is also a time where we commemorate the loving Lord’s blessing by giving his only son to be with us. In this day we should be happy, celebrating it with our love ones, our family and our friends.

Let me share to you a story wherein we, are going to face this Christmas. The very first Christmas without our beloved Lolo.

Usually we start decorating our house with Christmas ornaments on the last week of November. My Lolo would just sit down and watch us decorating our house and setting the Christmas tree. A smile on his face is just what we need to ease the hard work were going thru. Sitting in his favorite chair he just stares at us and sometimes just ignores us and plays his cards. As Christmas goes nearer he would check the gifts under the tree if he has one. My mother often got irritated of him always checking if he has a gift in a pile of gift under the tree, but he will just ignore my mother and continue what he’s doing. The day before Christmas we always celebrate the noche Buena. My Lola always prepares a nice, hot chocolate. We have some bread on the table, some cooked ham, fruits and other dishes fit for Christmas. Before we eat we always pray to thank god for his blessings. While eating, I usually start to distribute the gifts. My Lolo will eagerly wait for his and sometime felt sad if he received few gifts. But even though, we still celebrate that night happily.

Memories like this are now will remain a memory. This Christmas, we will celebrate it without Lolo. We will celebrate it even without him but it will never be the same anymore. Celebrating it with Lolo is like having all the things you wish to have.

Now that Lolo is gone, we know that he’s happy even though he’s not with us to celebrate this Christmas.

Happy are those who can celebrate this Christmas with his/her whole family including his/her Lolo and Lola. Cherish every moment for you don’t know if the next Christmas will be the same. We don’t have the power to tell someone when we will die.

Every second needs to be cherished. Like us, we cherished every single day with our Lolo. Now that he’s gone we don’t have any regrets, we don’t feel a single guilt inside us for we know we did all to make our Lolo happy.

LEAVING IN PEACE

“Lolo, hagod mo ko sa ulo.” the very words my sister and I used to say to my Lolo way back when we were still young. Everyday, at around 11 in the morning till 12:30 noon, we, including my parents and my grandparents would all have lunch in one, big round table in our dining room in manila. Praying was one of the many things my Lolo taught us. Eating while discussing different subjects is one thing they always do way back then, usually my sisters and I ( I have two older sisters Rhonadale and Pamela ) will just sit, eat and stare at the adults as they talk to each other with us not knowing what they are talking about. My Lolo, raised by his half Spanish half Filipino parents, is very strict when it comes to our conduct at the dining table. We cannot wear sando when in front of the table. We have to sit properly otherwise we would get a dressing down.

After lunch we have different roles to play like washing the dishes, sweeping the floor and wiping the table. After which I would always sleep beside either my Lola or my Lolo. I usually pick my Lolo because he would comb my hair with his hand until I fall asleep.

As years passed, Lolo grew older. However, even if he is already on his early to mid 90’s, he still can wake up early in the morning, make a cup of hot chocolate for the three of us and walk me to school. At such an age, one cannot do things my Lolo can. He can go to church every Sunday to attend mass. He can go to the market to buy food. He can even go to his friends. At night, he will set down his folding bed while I lay down at the sofa beside him.

From Singalong to Parañaque to Las Piñas- we transferred from one house to another. Years filled with memories passed with my mama deciding to got to the Middle East every now and then to take care of my Papa who happens to work there. Last 2007, with my Lolo lying on his folding bed, Mama went to say goodbye to him, “Wait for me ha, I’ll return on your birthday I promise okay?” My Lolo raised his head and looked at my mom as she left his room. As soon as my mama left, my Lolo went downstairs and asked me if my mom had already left. I simply answered yes. Tears running from my Lolo’s cheeks made me cry also. Nobody thought that it would be the last time my Mama would get to kiss my Lolo goodbye.

Hours to days, days to weeks, and weeks to months. August 11, 2008, an accident occurred. My Lolo slipped while trying to get up from his bed. We were called by my Lola to attend to my Lolo’s bruises and wounds. We applied some first aid to his bruises and wounds. The accident, however, made my Lolo weak thus preventing him from walking and standing.

September 2, at around 6:30 in the morning, I woke up, ate my breakfast, took a quick bath and went to buy something for the computer shop where I worked. Before I left the house my sister called me and asked me to take a look at our Lolo because he has not moved an inch since she last passed by his bed. “Go and get dress, your going to be late for work”, I told her. I took a quick look at my Lolo and checked if he still has a pulse. Sensing that he still has a pulse, I picked him up to lay him properly on his bed. On my way to the mall I received a call from my sister telling me to come home immediately for Lolo is gone. I went home as fast as I can. When I reached home I saw my Lolo in his room lying on his bed the way I left him- his mouth and eyes were open but now with no life. My Lola cried together with my wife and my sister. Lolo left us but he left us happy. Maybe he left us because he already completed his job here with us.

Years will pass but the legacy of my Lolo will continue to live-his love, his support, his care, his memories.

In our hearts your memories will live forever.