I Wish I Could Remain a Child Forever

I suppose it always happens like this for everyone. My father died last night. 


Last night, when I came home from work, I got a message that said, 


"Mike, 

I am so sorry to tell you this, your father passed away last night. I don't know the details, I am waiting for your brother to get home. Now he is at peace. 

Please call if you need to talk."

I don't need to talk about it. Just write, I suppose. 

When I heard the news, I wasn't shocked, but thought, "Gee, I just talked to him the other day and he seemed fine."

Well, maybe he wasn't fine but he sounded better than he did several weeks ago.

Before he died he told me that the only three things that ever mattered to him were the US marines, my mom and us three brothers.

My mom died about 16 years ago.

Hopefully, his spirit can reside with my mom's now. I said a prayer for him.

I have missed my mom all this time. I'll miss my dad. 

From today, now, I must take the position in my immediate family that my mom and my dad took. I must try to care for the children and make sure they are happy.

I used to be "the children" now I am the "grandfather."

I don't want to do the grandfather role. 

I wish I could remain a child forever. But I can't.


Today? Hug your parents if you still can and hug your kids... 


It seems like just yesterday that it was the 1960's and my parents had a house and a car. My mom was young and beautiful and she cooked, cleaned and took care of our school stuff... 


Dad was working, like all dads do... He also had black hair... He wrestled with us kids, took us to baseball games and he cooked barbecue... Like all dads do... 


One day, tomorrow is tomorrow and in the far-flung future... Then, one day, tomorrow is coming soon.... Then, out of the blue, tomorrow is here.


Soon, way too soon, tomorrow will be yesterday... Live it while you can!


NOTE: This is pretty weird, and I just realized it, but this is my 1000th posting on this blog. I was planning to write something profound for my 1000th... But all I got was this news that made me write this post about death... Weird, no?


Once again, in my life, with how these "coincidences" keep happening, I just have to throw my arms in the air and shrug my shoulders and say to the world, "Don't tell me that there's no God!"... (And I'm not even a Christian!)

Readmore..

Davao City Kerygma Conference 2010

Bo Sanchez

Chad Borja rendering a song

souvenir items and book display

picture taking and signing

me and the gang during lunch break

BSP convention hall before the Kerygma conference started

PICC music ministry

Mr. Obet Cabrillas

Mr. Pio Espanol

As I have mentioned in my earlier post, me and hubby attended the Kerygma Conference 2010 held at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Convention Center located at E. Quirino Street, Davao City. We arrived there just in time for the schedule which is 8:00 o'clock in the morning.

At the start, I was a little bored because it did not start right away. There were reminders flashed on the screen like putting off the cellphone while the conference is going on, not sleeping during the conference. The sponsors for the event were also flashed on the big two screens beside the stage.

It was almost 9:00 o'clock already that the conference started. At the start, there were singing of praise and dancing. I was very excited when I first saw Bo Sanchez in person. I have always been his fan and he really is a good speaker. Everyone listened when he speaks. He told about the famous story in the bible, The Prodigal Son. He talked about how Jesus loved us so much and that his love is all-embracing. He loves us regardless of who and what we are. Honestly, I can't get enough of Bo Sanchez. I want more of his talk but he has to give way to other speakers.

Then there was speaker Brother Pio who talked about family. He shared about his family and how he's able to raise an amazing children. Next speaker was brother Obet Cabrillas who talked about the secrets of being a happy catholic.



Chad Borja rendered a song " The Prayer" and made a sharing about his faith experience when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He pointed out that we should not stress ourselves and that we should not "sweat the small stuff". Life is too short to allow ourselves to be stressed out by these petty things. He is now based in Davao City and owns the Seraph productions.

The conference was a huge success with an attendees of 2, 300 people. They said that once a conference is started in a particular place, it will go on every year. I'll definitely attend again next year if there is one.

Readmore..