Tuesday, August 3, 2010

A Run In Memory of My Father

My father passed away 21 years ago today. I still do not fathom why God took him so early. He was a loving, hardworking, humble, and pious person. My father had a goal of sending his 3 children to college. But the only way he could do it was to leave our home country the Philippines and look for greener pastures abroad. So when I was in my junior year in high school, he left for the United States to work. After 7 years of continuously working, without getting a chance to come home, one day at work he collapsed. He had a brain aneurysm. He died after a few days in coma. None of us were able to see him in person for the last 7 years. But finally we saw him when his body arrived home. Just before he died, the youngest child in the family just graduated from college. My father accomplished his goal sending all his children to college. During the wake, a mail arrived. It was a card my father sent to my mother for her birthday. Back then, it took 2 weeks for mail to arrive from overseas. Apparently he wrote the letter a few before he died. It was a long letter where my dad went over his reasons for going to the United States. He said that he is thankful to God that finally the kids are all done with school. He said that now it was time for him to reunite with his wife. The letter was about 7 pages long which ended with his birthday greetings on the card. It probably took him a awhile to write all these, and so he wrote at the end, "Sweetheart, I am tired now. But before I go, let me just say, I love you."

I ran for 8 miles, praying -- down memory lane -- in his memory. May my father rest in peace.

4 comments:

  1. Joey thanks for sharing this story. I too lost my father at such a young age. He passed away in August 1989. It changed my life in many ways. There are just 3 of us brothers. At that time, 1 finished college while the other 2 still a student. Even to this day, I still think of him dearly. Especially when I go out to run or when I'm stressed. I will pray for you and your family. Take care and keep running.

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  2. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful spirit of love. I just got back from walking my mom's dog for her- maybe 3 miles or so and was thinking about my dad as well. It will be 11 years this December since I lost him and I feel closest to him when I am out in the garden or surrounded by the beauty of nature. Know that you are in my prayers and understand what an important beacon of love and faith you have been to me and many others. May peace surround you in your day today.

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  3. Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. I said a prayer for your fathers, too, as I ran today.

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  4. Hi Sir Joey! You probably don't remember me--I'm Frances "Fizz" Bondad and I used to be your student at Miriam, section I-1. How are you sir?

    I stumbled upon this site from Rina Alcantara, a fellow batchmate.

    It's always very touching for me to read the stories of people who have lost loved ones. My mother has passed almost 14 years ago...and yet sometimes it feels like it only happened yesterday. Thank you for sharing your story sir. God Bless!

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