Sorry and Thank You, Pa.

Growing up living a simple life was something I am grateful for. However, before I wished we were a family with a luxurious life.

I wished my father earned a degree

Once in my life, I have been an ungrateful child of the family. I even had the guts to blame my father for our situation.

My mom is a public school teacher and my father is an elementary graduate.

One would have this impression that we will not be financially stable because of my father's occupation. He is a farmer and the expenses we had for farming were more than the amount of money we're supposed to earn.

Looking back, I realized that I have never seen my father's hard work. I was too focused on the material things the family is supposed to have. I was too ideal when in fact, we cannot really afford those.

While writing this, I have realized so much. I was a bad daughter. Silently. I didn't become a rebellious child, I was obedient, I attended school regularly but I have this silent resentment to our father why do we have this kind of situation.

When in fact, we're an average family. We can eat 3 times a day, we have vitamins, we have budgets for our wants sometimes. We have new outfits every time it's a Christmas party or Commencement Exercises.

All of those, I took them for granted. Instead, I was busy looking for more. Geez, too ungrateful.

Maybe because I was still young back then and I was being too selfish and self-centered that I didn't acknowledge my father's sacrifices for the family. I have instilled in my mind that if you don't have money, you don't have worth.

Yeah, that harsh. Such a brat.

However, I'm going to share my most unforgettable childhood memory with my father.

He bought me a bicycle.

I was in my 3rd grade when I was waiting for them to fetch me at school. It was already 5 pm and I was about to cry because I'm the only one left waiting in the school. I cried more when I saw them arriving at the gate. Then my father said to me, "palit tag bike te." In the English translation "let's buy a bicycle, child".

I was so surprised when he said that. Months before that, I was bugging him to buy me a bicycle because I just learned to ride it from my cousin's and I want to own one. I noticed that he's no longer sober but he can still manage to engage in a conversation with sense. Probably? Or maybe he was just influenced by alcohol at that time that's why he made that decision right away.

I answered him with a full-length wide smile and said "Cge pa!".

I was very excited and when we finally get to reach the store, he said to choose the one I like the most.

I chose one and I was the happiest little girl on that day. I was just smiling the whole time. When we finally reach home, it was already dark so I can't go outside to ride the bike anymore. I was the most joyful kiddo. The next day, I woke up early because I was very excited to ride my new bike.

I asked mom how did papa was able to purchase the bike, mom said "halin sa mais nak". In English translation "his earnings for selling corn".

I was deeply touched by how papa did it for me. However, I was not really vocal about my sentiments at that time. When I was younger, I'm shy of voicing out my thoughts to them. Saying Thank You and I love you was the hardest ever.

That moment was carved into my heart. The scenario was still vivid in my memory.

When I finally graduated from college, I have slightly become matured. I have acknowledged his hard work and sacrifices. I learned to be so grateful to him.

Now that I have grown into a mature woman, I always make sure to say thank you and say I love you to them. I learned to value every moment I have with them.

Without him, I will never witness how wonderful life could be.

The lead image was taken probably 18 years ago. I took a shot of this photograph while scanning on our photo album.

It was emotional seeing these photos. It makes you reminisce those memories back then. It will always live within ❤

Happy Father's Day!

Thanks for reading.

Keep safe everyone ❤