A Father’s Promise

“I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. Those were the words that I noticed when we marched the funeral service of my dad. He may not be a perfect father (a much that of a wealthy dad who can give us the luxury of life) but he raised us with dignity and good morals in life.”

I remember every father’s day I always makes sure that I send my dad a greetings made of folder and drawn with “Happy Father’s Day” from that simple act I can see in the face of my dad that he was so happy.
We used to call him Tatay, which is a Filipino term for father. At the age of twelve my mother pass away, being a soldier my father had to make a tough decision whether to be in the military service or take a full time father.

I know that it was hard for him to leave the Military service but 25 yrs. in the service is good enough to take the position of a full time dad for us.
My dad is a simple man. He’s not into signature wardrobes, not accustomed using men’s accessory and gold rings and bracelet. He was just plain and simple. His favorite biblical quote is Proverbs 27:1 ” Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” He taught us to be humble and low profile person.

As a military he always disciplines us the way an educated man should be. His famous saying is obey first before complain; because according to him a father command his son to do it if that is not for the better or would endangered us, its always for the good.
There were certain instances that a high ranking military official would recognize my father especially after the Sunday mass. I was amazed how my father knew that person.
There had many instances that my father might meet an old time friend, a co- military, a classmate during his military schooling and others that simply knew him. There were all saying his and hellos and reminiscing the good times back. But as they say we never know when will be our calling.

It was in 1998; at the peak of the heat wave which led to approximately 750 heat-related deaths in Chicago over a period of five days. This unprecedented heat wave conditions occurred during May–June 1998 across Asia. Unfortunately my father was one of the casualties. He suffered from a heat stroke causing a blood clot in his cerebellum.
GOD was good because he was not taken from us that instant but the painful part he was comatose for a month. Everyday when I try to visit him at the hospital in Manila Sanitarium an Adventist hospital I can’t help myself cry. I used to remember holding his hands and talking to him, whispering those words that I love him so much. Such words that I might have uttered when he was still in good condition. As the days progress my father shows vital signs of recovery. He can hear the doctors’ command but he can not speak and open his eyes. A good sign on our part because at least we know that he can still hear us.

Then the doctor had to perform the operation that will remove the blood clot from my father’s brain. It will be a no surgery operation or Angioplasty in medical terms but the cost of that operation was too expensive during that time so we don’t have a choice but to transfer our father to a military hospital since he was a retired soldier. There he was being observed and later the operation to open the skull and scrap the clotted blood was performed. Doctors took almost 13 hours in the operation room, my brother and I was waiting on the door of the operation room praying and waiting for the result. I felt the loneliness that it was I and my Kuya were left their sitting on the floor waiting for my father’s surgery. I prayed so hard that I never prayed before. Atlas the operation was successful. The doctor advised us that it will be a series of operation that will be conducted in the case of my father; the next step is making a shunt; In medicine, a shunt is a hole or a small passage which moves, or allows movement of fluid from one part of the body to another. Close friends were there to give support, and to assist us during those times that we were so helpless. But he was not able to make it; GOD keep him for good.

We all have happy memoirs with our fathers. We all might have happy moments with them that we can call treasure. Your father might not be as rich as any tycoon nor as handsome like a Hollywood actors but one thing for sure, your father simply the best father like anyone else. So if you still have a time to kiss them do it, embrace them like you never embrace them before. Tell them how much you love them …seize the day.

I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. Those were the words that I noticed when we marched the funeral service of my dad. He may not be a perfect father (a much that of a wealthy dad who can give us the luxury of life) but he raised us with dignity and good morals in life. He became a good person to those he touched lives during his times. What matter is how we became a blessing to others and how we respect our colleagues.
My father promise that he will return, truly indeed he return thru the good stories that I’m hearing from the people he help before, his comradeship and respect for the equality of men; Thus he deserves three volleys of shots fired in honor of him during his funeral as the taps filled the air in the solemnity of the crowd.