Remembering my Tatay...

My Nanay and I went to Himlayan Cemetery to visit my Tatay’s grave in remembering his 14th death anniversary. August 29 is the exact date of Tatay’s death anniversary but due to household chores that Nanay and I usually do every weekend, we decided to visit Tatay the following day (August 30, 2010). Yes, it’s been 14 long years that our Tatay left us due to lung cancer but his presence in our lives still lingers on. I was nine 9 years old when he passed away but the memories I’ve shared with my father are still very vivid and unforgettable. I considered my Nanay as the soft-spoken in our family while my Tatay was the disciplinarian. Though my father has a strong personality, I was never scared of him because I know that in his strong character, a good and loving father is what he really portrayed. I heard a lot of good comments about my father that most of our relatives liked him. They’ve said that my father was well-loved by everybody because of his character. Yes, he’s strict, but he never used his attitude in wrongdoings. But there’s just one trademark that my father possessed, he’s an alcoholic person that’s why at the early age of 55, he bids his life goodbye. I was deeply saddened by his demised but that’s the reality of life that our family should face on. Wherever you are, Tatay, I’m very thankful because you’re my father. Though you didn’t see me growing up, I know that I’m spiritually guided by you and you are very proud of me. Thank you for the unconditional love and thank you Papa God because you let Mr. Aristeo D. Ricalde be my father, a loving husband to my Nanay and a good provider to his family when he was still alive.