Father's Day

Two days ago was father’s day. It tears up my heart not being able to spend it with the most important man in my life. Aside from his birthday, this is the only day that centers the attention to him. And it’s just not any other day to remind him how much we appreciate and love him, but this day honors his fatherhood. Something that a lot of fathers probably take for granted. But not my dad, no sire!

My dad is a disciplinarian. Sure we had our share of spanking and other punishments growing up. For the most part, he will just stare at you and you’ll know you’re doing something wrong and you better behave fast. Hahaha Yes, we were disciplined like that. Subtle but piercing.

My dad has always been the man in authority. He is the eldest of seven brothers. He played God when my grandfather wasn’t around. He was (and still is) used to giving orders and normally expects being obeyed. Just like my grandfather. He grew up in a home where respect is more than just a word. It is a household principle that they should live by. That’s why kissing (or beso) is greatly practiced in our family. Imagine my dad’s brothers kissing their elder brothers. The youngest would be the most kawawa of all. The number of people you have to rub cheeks with! It was only probably when the olds die that the younger brothers stopped the beso. But addressing the elder brothers as ‘Manong’ is still very much in practice still. So there’s no surprise he brought that kind of attitude in raising me and my sister. Good thing my mom was there to somehow ease the punishments for us. We didn’t really have a lot of mistakes back in the day, mind you. I guess he believes that prevention is better than cure. We know what dad wouldn’t like so we refrain from doing them. Makes perfect sense.

I am proud to say that I am one of the few lucky ones sharing a beautiful relationship with their dads. To sum it all up, I am a self-professed daddy’s girl. It is both a blessing and a curse though. I will be forever a kid to my dad’s eyes. And every man who attempts to come close, he will surely criticize.

I guess my dad was feeling lacking too that day. Later that night, he called me up for a little chat. I asked him how he spent the Father’s Day. But somehow I feel all he wanted to say was, “I wish you were here.” So do I dad. At least, I get to be the first (greeted him the Saturday night) and the last to wish him Happy Father’s Day, with much love.