Hello, everyone. I hope you are all doing well. I'd like to express my gratitude to @samsmith1971 and @wrestlingdesires for introducing me to this amazing community. This is my debut piece, and hopefully, it could spark your interest.
Father's Day has passed but I am still pondering writing this article as a tribute to these three gentlemen in my life.
Let us begin with my father. They called me a "Daddy's Girl." That is correct! I am closer to my father than I am to my mother. Perhaps this is because I am the only girl and the firstborn. I constantly accompanied my father on his travels whether he was visiting or monitoring his "Agricultural Projects" in all hubs around the Philippines. When I make a request, he will allow it if he believes it will benefit my well-being. Every time he visits another country, I ask for a souvenir, and he knows just what I want. He is mindful. He figures out that I like perfumes but not WOMEN'S PERFUME, so he sometimes wonders if I'm a real woman or a "TOMBOY."
He would always ask me to bake his favourite "PINEAPPLE-SIDE-UP-CAKE or PINEAPPLE JELLY ROLL, and make his ever-loving BUCO SALAD" whenever there was an occasion. Nothing was more enjoyable than getting the whole family together and fooling around with my Dad. His demise came too soon. I remember telling Dad not to leave that day because it was my birthday, but he said he had to give a lecture to the farmers in Tarlac, Philippines. The next day, he died and was carried home to us in a casket. "Cardiac arrest" was the cause of his death.
The second person I miss is my youngest brother, my tummy button-buddy, Rick. His tenderness is what I will never forget. He is very mischievous, but mischievous in a subtle way. Almost everyone who met him even his teachers from Kindergarten to College simply loved him because he was caring and helpful in addition to his gentle demeanour. Even his girlfriends' parents and his girlfriends loved him dearly. The parents would even cook his favourite foods and bring them to our home. It appears that the girl's parents are wooing my brother.
I didn't think twice about giving him one of my kidneys when he was unwell and needed my help. I always remember how much he adored my children and how much he wrestled while on dialysis. He, too, had a difficult time, but I am grateful that he thrived even six months after the "kidney transplant." "Pneumonia" was the cause of death. I was by his side before he died. It hurts to witness a loved one in pain. When you can't do anything else but pray to God for him. I still remember saying to him, "If you are having a hard time, don't worry, God will not leave us alone, especially Mom. You should rest now". I saw his tears rolling down his cheeks when I said that.
Lastly, my good-humored brother, our Junior. I'll never forget him. He loves to crack jokes. He has a wide spectrum of positive personal relationships. When I tell people he is my brother, they treat me well. My brother is said to be cordial and generous, and he never denies anyone who approaches him. With their great recollections of my brother, they never run out of stories to share. Some people were moved to tears as they recalled their memories of him. Everything they say is true, and remembering him brings sadness to me.
He is not picky about food; if he is hungry, he will just cook vegetables sprinkled with herbs and eat them. He likes to eat and devour food. He enjoys eating, especially his favourite cuisine, PAKBET Ilocano. He adores cooking and does a fantastic job. I miss his "FISH KINILAW", his one-of-a-kind fish salad.
Jun was delighted when one of my brothers and his family paid a visit to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, where he and his family live. He was overjoyed to see them. He complained of severe pain in his chest the next morning. Jun was taken to the hospital by my nephew and was pronounced dead on arrival. "Cardiac Arrest" caused his death, as it did my father's.
My father, my brothers Rick, and Jun are all compassionate and good-natured folks.
Spend as much time as you can with your loved ones while they are still alive. Because when they're gone, all you can do is recollect the good times you shared with them.
About The Author
A feisty artist and a writer at the same time who intertwines and develops her time between blogging, writing poetry and fiction stories, crocheting, gardening, baking, and caring for her physically and mentally challenged son to explore unexpected ideas that pique her interest.
Poetry | Flash-Fiction Story | Floral Art & Fresh Blossom Calligraphy | Crochet | Gardening | Baking and Cooking | Photography