December 2, 2010 was the last time that our family was together . I never wanted to talk about this thing actually, but I guess I have to . From this moment that I'm typing this entry up to the end of it, I promise that there will be tears .
That date was the day of my father's flight to San Francisco, California . That day meant a lifetime change for our family . My father migrated to live with our other relatives in the U.S . It sucks, to be left here in the Philippines . It sucks not to have our father here at home . Or maybe it isn't much of a home anymore .
Around 6:00 in the morning of that day, I woke up to my brother's noise . He was young, and he was busy playing . I remember approaching him that time, and actually played with him . Something I did for the first time . I was not in my own focus, my mind was flying . I was quiet then . While playing with him, our father approached us, then he did something that he hasn't done for more than 10 years; he patted me on the head . All of a sudden an ocean of memories flowed into my mind . I tried to hold back my tears at that moment . I got out of the room .
Lunch time that day, our relatives arrived at home . My cousins, with their moms and dads . It was like a reunion . The only difference is that this was a miserable reunion . Everyone was having a great time . My father was preparing the stuff that he will be bringing, my mother was talking to my aunts, and my brother was enjoying the company of my cousins . I just stayed in my room . I knew that everyone was hiding a sad feeling deep inside . I knew that everyone was holding back a tear or two . No one could possibly be happy that day .
Dinner time that day, was the most depressing moment . Everyone was at the dining room . The room was filled with mixed emotions . Some were happy because our whole family was together once again, some were sad because in a few hours my father would already be going to the airport .
After dinner was the time my father said his good bye's to everyone . My mother was crying hard, so hard that it broke the hearts of everyone in that room . He first said his good bye's to my uncles and aunts . Then he kissed my cousins . He said good bye to my mother, and he was comforting her at the same time . He hugged my brother and said that he will be back home soon, which made my brother smile . That moment I wished that I was as brave as my brother for he did not cried .
I was the last person he said good bye to . He asked me to promise him that I will be a responsible young man . I promised and then he left .
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Today is fathers' day . My father's not home . Sending an e-mail isn't enough to tell him how much I miss him . I wish he was here at this time, at this very moment, and I will tell him the greatest thing a son could say to his father : Happy fathers' day dad .
