Salamat Papa

If there's one thing I'm addicted to, it is writing or sharing something everyday on this blog. But it's been 10 days since I last posted. I just don't know where to start because my beloved father recently passed away. 

Although my siblings and I were prepared of what might happen, we still couldn't help but cry. Papa had been a diabetic for years, had stroke for more than 6 times. Papa survived every major stroke but not the last one in March 2016 where he stayed in the hospital for two weeks. I felt it, I dreamt that Papa will go April. I didn't want that dream. I was sobbing and shouting when Juan woke me. But I knew in my heart it's just a matter of time.

My family went on an impromptu adventure to Sagada last April 11. We had so much fun and were very tired from the long trek when my brother called on the night of April 12, "Ate Joy, wala na si Papa", was Jubert's exact words. I didn't cry at first but when Jubert passed the phone to Ate Che, I couldn't help myself. I didn't sleep and just cried the whole night. The next day, John drove from Sagada to Novaliches for 9 hours so we could see Papa at La Funenaria Novaliches.

Sad as it may seem, we all felt  that Papa is in a better place because he has finally joined our Creator and Mama. Our mom passed away April 9, 1993. We lost Papa April 12, 2016. 

When Mama passed away we weren't able to do much for her. My two sisters, Ate Rose and Ate Che, had babies; Kuya Bob and I were struggling for college, While Jubert and Ching were 13 and 8 years old respectively. 

We were given ample time to be close to Papa when Mama was gone. I'm lost for words now, all I know is that Papa was ready, his body may have suffered but I know his soul was purified and his sins forgiven.

While words can never fully express how much we appreciate all our relatives, friends, neighbors and politicians who took time to visit Papa. Your presence in visiting Papa on his final days on earth means so much to us. 

Most importantly, Salamat Papa!

"When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they 

weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over

 again in a different way. Sing your death song, 

and die like a hero going home." 

- Tecumseh