MY FATHER, MY HERO

My father was my hero, my role model and my best friend. He was my strength, my encourager and my defender. Whenever Father’s Day celebration comes, I would think of him and shed tears for those unforgettable moments we shared while he was still with me.

It’s almost two decades now since he passed away. He died in a much unexpected time. I saw him sang with his guitar early in the morning, tied his shoe lace and started off for work but two hours later he died of a single bullet. It was the most heartbreaking moment I ever had in my entire life that even up to now, I’m still crying whenever I remember.

My body was numb for the longest time; I shouted the loudest scream ever. How can a father who was so caring and loving for his children died of a very tragic death? He was shot twice and the bullet that passed through his heart took his life. The more painful reality is, until this time his death still remains a mystery and considered as one of the most unsolved cases.

As his first born, I was always his cute little girl. We also had a lot of things in common, not to mention that I do look like him. He was left-handed and so I am, he was a musician, a guitar player and so I am. He was an artist and so I am. Most of who I am came from him and that’s pretty amazing.

Our father and daughter relationship was full of joy and adventure. I would go wherever he goes, even to his workplace. I was frightened that I might not see him for a single day. However, once in awhile I would snap and get a whip from him, but after that I would still get a gentle hug.

I grew up with him for fourteen years and those years were the most memorable ones. He was there when I first learned how to draw the human figure with my pencil, he was there when I first wrote my longest poem, and he was there when I first learned to sing the song he taught me through his guitar. He had witnessed most of my first time experiences and he was very proud of me.

Before he closed his eyes, how I wish I was able to kiss him a thousand times and give him the warmest embrace in the world… How I wish I had told him everything that I ever wanted to tell him while he can still hear it. But those are wishes that will never happen, so I just contend myself by reminiscing the past.

Today as we celebrate the Father’s Day in honor of all the fathers in the world, one thing I can be sure of, my father’s memories will linger on as long as I live. Though his life came to  an end abruptly, the way he lived his life will always be an inspiration to many, like a hero who will never be forgotten.