I know every single girl dreams of turning 18 with a grand debut on that special day of her life. Who wouldn't love wearing those fancy gowns, dancing with 18 of the most important men in your life? We not only do this to celebrate but we do it to have fun and make wonderful memories with friends and family.
News came in July of 2008 and I didn't know how to accept it. My father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Renal Cancer. We were told that he had only 6 months to live. When I found out, I didn't know what to feel. It felt like I was carrying the weight of the world.
Months passed and Papa lived a normal life. He would go to work in the morning then he would sometimes go out with friends (minus the vices). Then one early morning of December 2008 Papa's condition got worse because he could not breathe anymore even though he had an oxygen support. We immediately rushed him into the hospital and he was admitted in the ICU. We all thought that maybe anytime now he will be gone. But God is really good because 2 days before Christmas, Papa was discharged from the hospital.
I remember being told that Papa would only live up to December. But January came then February and then March, which is my birthday month. Although Papa made himself strong and he had surpassed his "deadline," I could see that each day he was becoming weaker and weaker. I remember 3 days before my big day, he would vomit blood and I wasn't sure if he could still be with us on that special day.
Then March 6 came. Through the efforts, help and support of these people (Lola Herming, Daddy Tony, Tito Bing, Tito Barry, Tita Connie, Tita Miriam, Tito Daniel, Tita Kling and Tita Naomi), I was able to have my party. It wasn't as grand as any debutante ball but it was a fun party filled with family and closest college friends. I loved it because it was simple yet intimate. At that time my problems were forgotten for a moment because I was actually enjoying every moment of it. Papa was inside the room sleeping while the party was happening but I was happy to know that he was able to eat lechon. For the past few days, he wasn't eating anymore.
Little did we know that those happy moments we had that night would be replaced with sad ones the next day. Papa was already comatose. I had a class the next day so I had to go but before I left Mama said: "You say good bye na to your Papa because you don't know if andiyan pa siya when you arrive later."
On my way to school I got worried, I was afraid that I would get a call about Papa. During class, I wasn't sure if it was a coincidence that our topic was about death and dying. I bravely listened to the lecture. Minutes later, my phone rang. I answered it right away. It was Mama telling me to go home because Papa was seriously getting ill and he was looking for me. Right after the phone call I went home and went to him then I hugged him tightly. It was my first time to say "I love you" to him.
Everyone told me that maybe Papa was just waiting for my birthday to come, his last wish. Maybe he was happy seeing me enjoying my party before he passed away.
This is my simple offering for Papa since it's Father's Day and wherever he may be I do hope that he knows I love him very much because I always have and I always will.
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Rating: 4.77 out of 5 | Number of Votes: 50
Comments
- 1. CokeFloat says:
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Aww.. I wish I had a papa like that :( Sis, I almost cried.
June 21, 2009 at 6:59 am - 2. fatimaaa says:
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Hi.... I know how you feel...but I think you had great times of your Papa. My Papa died in a car accident when I was 2 years old. My Mama said my Papa wanted to have a baby girl since they got married. I had 3 brothers before me. My 3 brothers are also my papa now.
Take care...
Faye
June 21, 2009 at 7:30 am - 3. sweetpinkkisses_kar says:
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this is so sad. :(
June 21, 2009 at 9:56 am - 4. p!nk says:
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me too i wish i had a father like that. i almost cried. :(
June 21, 2009 at 9:58 am - 5. ice_baby says:
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:( so sad...
June 21, 2009 at 10:04 am - 6. amielle24 says:
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aww, i almost cried T_T
June 21, 2009 at 10:58 am - 7. giandyd_o11@yahoo.com says:
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kkiyak nmn
June 21, 2009 at 3:00 pm - 8. jooycee says:
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I do really cried of your story. Be strong, Ate. :) I know God will strengthen your personality and will hepl you move on from what had happened to you and to your family.
June 21, 2009 at 4:41 pm - 9. denyz says:
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this is sad :(
i cried, i really cried *sniff*
June 21, 2009 at 5:30 pm - 10. dhonnabelle says:
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this is really sad...:,
June 21, 2009 at 7:23 pm - 11. MellowJean says:
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it was like i felt her pain too., i could almost cry my heart out...
June 21, 2009 at 9:29 pm - 12. DianeMaricar says:
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i almost cry..
:-(
June 22, 2009 at 12:04 pm - 13. johannah95 says:
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i feel for you... be brave ate.. just pray and think that ur dad is in a happier place now. and u peeps, appreciate and show ur dad how lucky u are to still have him by your side.
June 22, 2009 at 12:52 pm - 14. heartilly says:
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- this is really a sad story sis . just be strong and always find your way to move on .
June 22, 2009 at 4:22 pm - 15. sairielrose says:
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ate kea mu yan khit d tau closez i support u in life dont let ur self be down by just people there. be happy of what you want !! gO ! ;)
June 22, 2009 at 9:33 pm - 16. liquimoly says:
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may mga ganito palang pangyayari..grabe naman nakakaiyak.. hope to be your friend.
June 23, 2009 at 3:12 am - 17. chezkabum says:
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ahh. sad. :(
June 23, 2009 at 10:48 am - 18. jowie08 says:
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touching story, almost cried too..
my favorite tito/ninong/uncle...died yesterday, my parents hid his situation to me, because my parents knew i really LOVE my tito. When i came home my brother just told me, that my tito BUDS, died that morning...i cant still feel the pain, were going to QC later..T_T
June 23, 2009 at 1:10 pm - 19. elyhna says:
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haist kalungkot naman nag worried tuloy akoh
may dad and i had an argument bcoz of my ex bf until now we havent talk about it to make things right now that i read about your story i have to make it up to my dad be brave we all know that your dad is beside you to guide and watch youin everything you do.....
June 23, 2009 at 1:15 pm - 20. Angel Of Sarcasm says:
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Aw. This is such a sad and touching story. I really cried. I`m also very close to my father and I don`t know what would happen if he was suddenly gone. I hope things get better for you, dear, I really do.
June 23, 2009 at 1:25 pm - 21. ckeaivan_08 says:
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ouch. i know your father was really happy for having a daughter like you. :))
June 23, 2009 at 7:16 pm - 22. rickarickz says:
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aww..
June 23, 2009 at 9:03 pm - 23. cherryflavoredcandy says:
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I remembered my Mama who died because of leukemia and the pain in my heart is still there seeing your loved one suffering before he/she dies is really sad much more than you expected. :(
June 24, 2009 at 8:44 am - 24. mentot says:
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i almost cried..T_T
June 24, 2009 at 9:45 am - 25. lilmissfame says:
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oww. :((
June 24, 2009 at 11:23 am - 26. teena002 says:
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awww... that is so sad...
June 24, 2009 at 6:49 pm - 27. iris_011 says:
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oww, so sad yet inspiring. :]
your father is so sweet. He still wait for your birthday before he leave.
June 24, 2009 at 7:08 pm - 28. jessa_sha says:
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so sad :((
June 24, 2009 at 7:32 pm - 29. prinsesa_16 says:
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sis i can relate..my dad died when i was just 13,buti ka pa sis inaabot n papa m debut m kht papanu..ako plano n dad n mag dedebut aQ,pro di na nia aabotin..haii..
June 24, 2009 at 11:49 pm - 30. lexaine says:
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argh ! .. i was crying reading this .. that was great that you still see him alive and delivered him the word you actually want to say ..
June 25, 2009 at 11:33 am - 31. jechileto says:
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i cried while reading this.
maybe he really wanted to be in your 18th birthday.
:(
be brave. he knows you really love him.
June 29, 2009 at 5:31 pm - 32. LIFE says:
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thank you for reading my story.
i hope it made us all realize that life is so short so enjoy every moment with our parents.
July 6, 2009 at 7:26 pm - 33. Claire18 says:
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touching story...
July 20, 2009 at 6:27 pm - 34. soooME says:
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aw.. I almost cried. There are really alot of trials in life, all you have to do is to be brave :) and be strong. :) To add to that, ENJOY LIFE :>
August 26, 2009 at 1:06 pm
