Daddy's Day

My dad's not here now. He's in the States with my mom, visiting my sister and her family. And Fathers' Day is not complete without him...

Since he is not here, I decided to write about him. No, not his usual antics, and famous jokes he would share that made him the life of the party. But two memories I cannot ever forget.

I remember one night my dad, sister and I went walking around the village. I was very young then, and like any other active child, I ran while my dad and my sister walked. Unfortunately, I tripped, and this fall caused me a scar for the rest of my life on my left knee. A small circle like a 25 centavo coin. And I remember it was bleeding heavily. The details of that memory I can't remember anymore, but since we were on the opposite end of our village from our house, my dad made a gesture of carrying me while walking back home. I did not break a leg, or pull a muscle. I only fell and got wounded. And I was big enough not to be carried. But still, no matter what, dad chose to carry me...something I thought was not only touching, but an act of sacrifice from his end...

Another memory I have of my dad as a father was when I was small, he would cut my fingernails. He cut them patiently and very well. You see, I was "lucky" enough to inherit his short, stubby fingers, to a point that everyone in my class would tease me and call my fingers chicken lollipops. But those nice moments when he would carefully cut them, I felt proud and happy, and thankful that I did get this quality from him. It was a bond that we both shared. And I loved all those moments.

I have all other nice, and maybe not so nice experiences with my dad. Like any father and daughter relationship, we do have our tampuhan moments, but one thing about my dad is that he is a very patient person. Not just with me, but with my mom as well. He chooses not to take things against people, which is probably why many people are fond of him. I'm really glad now that I have my own child, my dad and I are closer. And I know having a grand daughter is something he considers as a special gift.

Anyway, shocks, I succumb myself into mushiness again. Well, it's father's day after all.

And so, to my Papa, happy fathers' day and I love you very much! --Wekek