This is my Mom and Dad.
This is how I want to remember them both. Beautiful and happy.
But often, my happy memories of my childhood are clouded over by heartbreaking memories of them suffering and battling their illnesses.
Of my Mom lying in the hospital bed, shrunk to half her size, her arms bruised from all the needles poked into her arms. And of my Dad in a hospital gown, walking slowly down the hospital hall pushing a bag of fluid and smiling at me.
It is now 21 years since my Mom left us and 19 years since my Dad joined his love of his life in Heaven. I went through years of denial, anger, rebellion, and finally anguish.
When sadness took over, I missed them dearly.
My Dad was an amazing husband and father to us. He spent many years looking after our sick Mom, took over the house chores and cooking when my Mom was in the hospital and never failed to smile and make us laugh.
I can only imagine how tremendous the stress and heartache must be for him see my Mom suffering and slowing losing her ability to do almost anything. Despite all this, my Dad still found time to volunteer his time in Church.
There are some things I never forgot of my childhood and one of them was how my Dad used to bring me to the Little Sisters of the Poor to visit the old folks, to help feed them, and to do volunteer work at the Seniors' home.
I recently found some letters and postcards written by my Dad. He would always write to us when he used to travel for work. One letter made me choke up with tears. It was a letter written by my Dad on the hospital letterhead. An appeal letter addressed to the Principal of my then Secondary school. The year that he died was also the year both my sister and I were to take our final leaving examinations for entry into College and University.
As he was battling his illness, he was worried about us. That's a parent's love. An undying love. As I read the letter, each and every word pouring out from his heart, my tears overwhelmed me and I cried out loud. It has been a while.
I love you, Daddy.
Thank you for being such a great person, someone I am so proud of and someone I so admire.
