And he is gone again

For three consecutive Saturdays my dad was with us. He came at seven in the morning. He joined us for breakfast after all needed examinations were done. He was always enthusiastic and happy, as if on top of the world. He shared to us a lot of his past experiences, most of them I heard so many times before. Except for his health and his already aging body, he is very much the same. He is still the dad I spent a lot of my childhood memories with.

First Saturday. He spent breakfast and lunch with us. In between, he chatted with my kids, asked them too many questions with regards to their studies. It was his first time to spend more than an hour with them. He was observing them and was constantly giving them advises. He went home after lunch.

Second Saturday. He brought us fresh produce from the market. How thoughtful of him. He looked more relaxed and at home now that he begun exploring the entire house, something he never did during his past visits. He stayed the whole day and even went with us when we attended the anticipated mass later that day. He bought crabs on our way home from the church, offered to cook, and stayed for dinner. It was late when he bade goodbye.

Third Saturday. Dad was his usual self, even happier I think. He brought with him some clothes this time. I was hesitant to ask but I suspected that he would stay for the night. And he did. He cooked ginataang tilapia for and ginataang alimango for dinner. I never knew he is fond of cooking anything with coconut cream. He never really did that when I was still growing up.

The following day, Sunday, Dad woke up earlier than all of us. Since it is my time of tutoring the kids, he spent most of his Sunday morning watching TV alone or talking to the maids. It was in the afternoon when he asked my husband to prescribe some medicine to his adopted son who is suffering from cough and colds. The boy came with the driver when the latter fetched him.

After he left, we decided to tell Dad through text that we love treat him and care for him but not with any member of his other family. There were previous occasions that we treated each one of them, and we allowed it because we were hoping that it would end there. But it did not.

(to be continued)