Day 43: Her Father's Daughter

For the past several weeks, I would let my youngest daughter tag along whenever I attended the BCBP Joint Breakfast. I noticed that she has already learned the usual mechanics upon entering the breakfast venue. She'll be the one to hold on to the meal ticket and would also get her Dad's name tag for her to wear.  CeeJae likes to be the one to choose which meal to eat too and gladly hands over the ticket to the server after making her choice. 

The BCBP breakfast is one she eats with gusto, especially when there's an egg cooked sunny-side-up and ripe banana for dessert. 

Here you will see how proudly she wears her Dad's name tag...and with that look on her face, she's truly her father's daughter.

Day 323: Joyeux Anniversaire!

 

Pere...Otosan...Vader...Yeye...Babu...Opa...Pop...Papa...DADDY

Grandpere...Ojisan...Abuelo...LOLO

There are as many different ways to call a father and a grandfather as there are languages in this world.   To celebrate Daddy's 66th birth anniversary, I thought of highlighting some of those ways...

For the past 66 years, Daddy has been the silent rock of his family...first as the youngest in a brood of five, he became the steady support for his brothers and sister especially in their twilight years. Then, most of his adult life was focused on doing everything possible to be the best husband and father. It wasn't smooth sailing nor was life like a bed of roses but he did his best.

Daddy has been my hero for most of my life...well, until hubby took over the role, of course.  Many of the things I know about life and love, I learned from him. He was a wonderful teacher. Growing up, I was a klutz who didn't quite have the right sense of style...well, Daddy became my fashion guru - for some reason, he knew the right colors and styles that would suit me and I always looked forward to our shopping escapades together. As a teenager, he was my protector and sometimes came across as too strict in his ways. In hindsight, this became a blessing as I believe I turned out to be a better person because of Daddy's special brand of discipline.

Now, Dad is doting Lolo to four grandchildren, three of which make up what I call "organized chaos" in my daily life. Whatever love and concern he had for us, his children, has been multiplied tenfold for his apos.  There is nothing he wouldn't do for his children, in-laws and grandchildren.

DADDY LOLO is simply the best in the world! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! We love you!!!

Day 235: Hero

Growing up, I always looked up to my Dad as my own personal hero. To me, he was invincible, there was nothing he couldn't do. I was always confident that he'll be around to save me from danger and pain. So it wasn't a surprise that from the time I was a teenager, I knew that the man I would eventually marry should be someone just like Daddy. 

Well, that journey of looking for Mr. Right was such a long and arduous one...no one seemed to get past even first base of the requirements. It wasn't until I was well into my very late 20's that I met and eventually married my true hero. Although he wasn't exactly like Daddy, I'd like to believe that I chose someone who was a very close replica of Dad and at the same time, a very well-upgraded version of him. 

Daddy will always be the hero of my childhood and teenage days but hubby is and forever will be my life hero. 

Who's the hero in your life?

Day 232: We Are Family

It wasn't too long ago when it was just hubby and I starting out our life together...that was in early 2001. A year and a half later, we were blessed with our firstborn, JARRED ANDREI. And for quite a number of years, it was the three of us, living a simple life in down south Philippines. In late 2006, we welcomed a new addition to our family...our princess, CAITLIN ALYSSA. Five months after she was born, our family packed our bags and moved to Northern Mindanao, in the city of Butuan, which we now call home. Our family received a surprise blessing in early 2009 with the birth of the "bunso" of the family, CATHLEEN JANELLE. 

Life at home is rarely quiet and serene, most of the time it's filled with shrieks and laughter. The zen design hubby and I have always aspired to have in our home has taken a temporary backseat to the pieces of toys, books and thingamajigs that the kids manage to strew all over the place. There's wailing, crying and quarreling but there's also a whole lot of loving, caring, understanding and praying. 

Whenever I look at my family of five, I never cease to wonder how everything turned out to be this way...it seemed only yesterday when it was just hubby and myself. My life now revolves around what I call a HAPPY CHAOS...filled with laughter and tears, ups and downs, fighting and making up, misunderstanding and understanding, trials and blessings.

I thank God for placing me amidst this wonderful and crazy bunch I call family...it's His most wonderful gift to me. 

Day 171: Father's Day 2010

The Almighty Father has been so gracious in gifting me with wonderful stewards of His fatherly love on this earth. Today, I pay tribute to the three men who give real meaning to the word "FATHER". 

To my loving Daddy...

You were my strength and inspiration growing up since you played the role of mother most of my young life as you and Mom had a reversal of roles in our family. I grew up seeing you manage the little details of home life - attending to our school needs, nutrition and learning. During most days, you went out of your way to deliver freshly-cooked meals to school so that I'd have a wonderful lunch experience. You painstakingly taught me the rudiments of Math whenever I'm ready to give up (it was never my favorite subject but with under your tutelage, I survived it). Yours was the loudest applause whenever I had to be on stage for school performances and quarterly academic awards. It was your shoulder I cried on when I had my first heartbreak. You raised my bar of expectation for possible suitors and eventually for my choice of life partner. He had to at least match you in every possible way or else he's out of the running. Even when I became independent and started a family of my own, you never ceased to love and support me. As a grandfather, you dote on my children and love each one equally. I may never get to see you as often as I want to but keep in your heart the knowledge that you are never far from my heart nor my mind.

To my dear Papa...

The greatest gift you have ever given me is the gift of your son. Through you, God granted me a most wonderful man to love and care for. Your ways may have been totally different from my Dad's but it was your own personal touch. Life's lessons were learned through and because of you. During times of need, you always had an open heart and lent your time and effort. I remember your invaluable presence when we first moved to Butuan and didn't have extra help. You stayed with me and the children while hubby was on regular out-of-town trips in his job. There were times you dozed off while patiently waiting for me to finish my online lessons. Your grandchildren find security and peace in your loving embrace and they are always excited to see you during brief visits. I thank God everyday for doubling my source of fatherly love by bringing you into my life.

To my Ga, my darling Jerome...

If there was an award for the Best Father in the World, you'd most likely bag it for your ways are so unconventional and yet they are always right and logical in raising children to be the best all-around Christians. By going against time-tested practices and making your own parenting rules, you manage to combine lessons learned from old ways and the new way of thinking to meet current global needs. Unorthodox as they may be, I know that our children will be better equipped to face the challenges of the future. I am proud to say that whatever I know about parenthood today I learned from you and I've become a better mother to our children because of you. Your parenting style is one of tough love - a way I know that will make our children strong, independent, confident and decisive. Sure, it's hard to see them go through life's hardships but it's going to be much more difficult if we gave them the easier way of life. That ain't love, it's spoiling. As a loving and caring Dad, you make sure our children are provided with their needs, even just the simple ones that bring smiles to their faces. After all, in life, it's you who they need and not whatever material stuff they just see or want. As they grow, I can see that what they appreciate is our presence in their lives, they're content and truly happy with what they have. In many ways, you've also weaved your parenting magic on me and made me a much better person in so many ways. I can never thank you enough for being an awesome Dada to our three kids. They are truly blessed to have you as their father. 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!