I remember you as a stickler to neatness + cleanliness + I would often think that you were a slave driver, trying to boss everyone around to do your biddings: sweep the floor, keep the house tidy, keep everything neat + orderly. It was probably no surprise that I am turning into the same person that everyone thinks I am OC. I also remember you as a self-less father + a faithful husband who did everything to provide for his family + make them feel safe. I also remember how we spend weekend afternoons watching your favorite James Bond movies on the telly {I wish you were here now that the new 007 installment is showing in the cinema, I bet you’d gladly agree to watch it with me + the little man, even when Daniel Craig is not really our most favorite Bond + prefers Connery + Moore over everyone else}, or your favorite basketball team’s game on Sundays. I vividly remembered how you were not able to bear watching that Jesus Christ film by Mel Gibson up to the end, simply because you cannot endure the scene where they are hitting Jesus Christ, or those moments when you cry over a particularly touching episodes of our favorite local nighttime soaps. You tend to cry easily + there is no doubt that I got that from you. Most of my memories of you will involve newspapers + books + crossword puzzles + I must say those are some of the legacies you left us with + we will probably to continue doing them as long as we can.
Thank you for all the memories, ‘Pa, thank you for your kindness + your grace. Thank you for everything you did for us. We will never be anywhere near where we are today if not for you + Mama’s love + sacrifices. We will love you both until the end + we will miss you every single day. We will always keep your memories alive + will be sure to let the little ones know of your story. Jared just recently learned to say your names + would just blurt them out all of a sudden when he finds the inspiration. If you were around, I bet you would’ve spoiled him rotten!
Happy birthday Pa! I know you are having a wonderful celebration up there with Mama, our Creator + all the angels. Hopefully they’d let you have a bottle of beer or two since it is your special day, anyway! 😉
We will be seeing you soon + will keep you dear in our hearts until then. I love you, Pa!