One Year has Gone By

Today, it is exactly one year since I have seen Dad alive.

I could still vividly recall how he rode a white taxi cab. They helped him up from a wheel chair and carried him inside the cab. When he had seated comfortably, he held on the handle at the top right side of the passenger seat. I was looking at him all through out but he did not look back at me, until the cab slowly moved out of my sight and that was the last time I saw Dad breathing.

He did not look very good physically that night. It was so scary. However, I was not looking at death. Although such thought had entered my mind, I was firmly expecting him to return well and on his feet; but it did not happen.

I still miss him so much….

All Saints’ Day

Here in the Philippines, we have a religious family tradition of visiting the grave of our departed loved ones every All Saints’ Day, which falls on November 1 of each year. It is a tradition that shows how Filipinos are closely knit as a family. As a child, I remember going to the cemetery to visit my grandparents’ grave. It is like a family reunion, when you meet your cousins that you do not see everyday. However, we have stopped observing the tradition eversince I have become a paralytic and my grandparents’ bone remains have been moved to a distant cemetery, in Cavite (a province south of Metro-Manila).

Thus, for the past almost 25 years, we have remained at home during all saints day unless there are church activities to attend.

I remember, Dad observes that it is safe to drive on All Saints’ Day because there are a few vehicles running on the road. I would tell Dad that I wish it were All Saints’ Day everyday because it is good to drive on a clear traffic.

Now, our family has a reason to observe the tradition at all cost; for Dad's memory.

Mom and I went to the cemetery earlier than most people did, October 30. It is just a few hours before storm Santy hits Southern Tagalog region. Mom brought her orchids for Dad and we stayed there the whole morning.