In my list of 10 Simple Joys that I wrote last year, I mentioned that I was deciding on a nice anniversary gift for my parents. The anniversary gift that I was thinking of getting them then was to take them to either Singapore or Hong Kong. This was supposed to be for July 2008 because July was both their birth month and their wedding month. I was psyched about this plan since it would be Papa and Mama’s first time to fly out of the country and I knew it would really make them happy. I was leaning toward bringing them to Hong Kong because I knew my dad would love to be in a place closest to Mainland China at least so he could try authentic Chinese food (My dad has this weird fascination with anything Chinese although he’s only 25% of it, lol), while my mom would love to do some bargain shopping.
But for some reason, I discarded this plan. Maybe I was thinking about how much the trip would cost me especially during a time that I was saving for the rainy days. True enough, the “rainy days” began the day my dad was brought to the hospital last year. I could keep telling myself now that not pushing through with the trip was a good move because of all the unexpected expenses that came pouring in, but I can’t help feeling sad and regretful. I should have pushed through with the plan! It would have been a memorable experience not only for Papa, but for Mama and I. Never mind how much it would have cost, money can always be obtained.
But I just let the chance pass, didn’t I? I only have myself to blame.
During that trip to Hong Kong with Mae last month, I kept thinking about Papa and how much he would have enjoyed exploring the city. Everywhere we went, I’d imagine his joyful reaction to everything. I got sentimental the most when we dined at a real Chinese restaurant in Temple Street to try out real Chinese food. I’m positive my dad would have loved it!
Today is Papa’s 55th birthday. I miss him everyday. If I could go back to last year and make his 54th birthday more special, I would. But I know he wouldn’t be happy to know that I’ve been feeling this way since he left. There really is no use crying over spilled milk, but what happened has taught me to embrace opportunities as they come.
Chances are so hard to come by and the second one is impossible to find.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
awww joni.. you couldn’t have known *hugs* but your plans with your mom will push through next month diba? :) Just bring her to places you want her to see so you won’t be regretting as much.
Want coffee? :P
I remember my Dad naman teasing me to buy him a laptop on the day he died. I told him I would, and I was serious about it! Who would’ve thought naman na he’d be gone the same night di ba. I wished for the same things, sending him and Mom to a trip to Israel (they’ve always wanted to do that), and buy them a Pajero (a long-standing joke between me and my Dad, but if only I was given more time to save and be successful in what I’m doing, I would’ve done it anyway — anything for them.) I know how you feel Joni. You know I do. :)
Mae’s right, no blaming ourselves — we couldn’t have known. :)
“I miss him everyday.” — I can’t remember how many times I said these words, too, and variations of it! Sa twitter, sa blog, kung san san! For what it’s worth, a friend of mine (si Miss Cathy Babao, remember nkwento ko ata siya sayo!) still blogs about missing her Dad, when she lost her when she was still in gradeschool. We’re going to be missing them everyday for a long time, Joni. Hay. Somehow that fact makes me sad but gives me peace of mind at the same time. And of course I know YOU KNOW what I mean by that. :)
*hug*
ONGA, KAPE!!
Mae: Yup, tuloy kami next month. But she’s warning me na, with her slipped disc acting up every few minutes, she won’t be able to go far just by walking, hehe.
Riz: Aww, Israel is a personal dream! It’s in my bucket list (of places to travel to, lol). You should take your Mom na lang. And go get her that Pajero! :)
Yeah, we couldn’t have known. Sayang lang talaga. :( hehe
ahay joni daw mahibi ako ah. i always think about that — na pwede mo maislan ang money — i want so bad to spoil my parents and tita and i’m praying i have time.
it’s true..you couldn’t have known. hay…buhay :(
Christine: You’ll have time! Tagaan ka ni God sang time, hehehe. Don’t worry too much. :)
joni: btw, ang password sa private entry ko is giba7 or mygiba7 heheh
ahay… naisiip ko tuloy bakit ganun, antanda ko na humhingi pa rin ako ng pera sa nanay ko… on topic, iv committed to go visit my parents in tarlac more regularly. kasi malayo na ako sa kanila e. while there is still time…
Tarits: Okay lang yan, wala naman kayong “need” eh, mayaman naman parents mo. :)
“While there is still time” – argh, nararamdaman na natin ang implication nito :(
pakiramdam ko tuloy ang sama kong anak sa magulang ko. haha! masyado kasi akong pasaway :) it makes me think, na hangga’t may chance ako at panahon, i should let my parents feel kung gaano ko sila kamahal at kung gaano sila kaimportante sa buhay ko.
Aw, that’s too bad.. But on the bright side, the lesson you learned is PRICELESS! >:) btw, nice site!! Keep it up!
Ngayon ko lang nabasa ito frend… hehe…
You know what Joni, each time you write about your dad and your sentiments, it makes me feel guilty of not allowing my wallet to go a little more empty so I can send my parents to a nice vacation just to give them some break in taking care of all of us.
You do not need to blame yourself, though… You still have time to spend with your mom :) So relish it! :)
Rom: haha! don’t feel guilty! baliktad lang kasi samin.. ako yung mommy at sila ang mga anak ko na saken lang umaasa. hehehe.
its nice of you to think of giving your parents anniversary gifts