WARNING: Very personal letter. Not in a funny mood. Let’s joke around next week.

I woke up just before 6am Friday (Philippine Time). I walked into my Dad’s room and his caretaker and his house help were huddled around him in disbelief. The house help mumbled something that I didn’t understand but when I saw Dad’s lifeless body, I knew what she was trying to say. I reached for his chest. He was no longer breathing. His heart had stopped beating. Dad had passed on to eternity. Both of them looked at me for instructions. I knew there was a lot of work ahead.

I had rehearsed going through this moment ever since I arrived here over 2 weeks ago. And now that it’s here, it’s a little different. I started to go through the checklist in my head: First, have a video conference with my sisters, then inform the Kapitan Del Barrio (the Barrio Captain), get the doctor’s death certificate, inform the city registrar, inform the funeral home, get a priest, inform the cemetery, wrap up his finances, inform the relatives, etc. It’s the end of the long day and I still need to make arrangements tomorrow. My surviving sisters are giving me advice and moral support but they can’t come so I’m doing this with the help of the people around me.

I have not shed a tear yet. I think it’s the Adrenalin that put my emotions aside. I remember that this also happened when my Mom passed away. It was months later that I found myself sobbing uncontrollably. “I’ll weep for you Dad, but today is not the day. Today, I have to make sure you have a good final goodbye.”

I appreciate all the kind thoughts and prayers. There are a lot of you. And for that, my father and I are truly blessed. TGIF people!

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”
—- John 11:25-26

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Near the End of the Line

WARNING: Very personal. Very Spiritual

I am still here in the Philippines taking care of my Dad. Several of you have sent me warm greetings and prayers. I can’t thank you enough. (I put some of them on the TGIF Joke section of this Travelingboy.com website). Perhaps that is the reason my Dad made it through. I came here to bury him but he doesn’t want to get into his coffin yet. I was concerned because he was delirious for a few days. He would stare blankly into space tinker with something in the air and talk to people who weren’t there. But after he slept continuously for 2 days, he’s back to normal. At least for now.

A few of you have shared how difficult it was to see your loved one move on the next life. Death brings us all together. Tears welled up in my eyes as I massaged his bony, wrinkled feet. It’s difficult to watch “Superman” (so strong and full of life) turn into helpless Clark Kent.

Dad said he wanted to die already. I am ready to accept the inevitable. I’ve shared the Gospel to him several times. I want to make sure that he truly understands that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.

This reminds me of an old song:

I Wish You Jesus

I could wish you joy and peace
To last a whole life long
I could wish you sunshine
Or a cheerful little song
Or wish you all the happiness
That this life could bring

But I wish you Jesus
But I wish you Jesus
But I wish you Jesus, more than anything

I could wish you leaves of gold
And may your path be smooth
I could wish you treasures
Or that all your dreams come true
And I could wish you paradise
May everyday be spring

But I wish you Jesus
But I wish you Jesus
But I wish you Jesus, more than anything

Cause when I wish you Jesus
Well I’ve wished you everything!

For a man who is counting the days or hours before he meets his maker, the question: “Who is Jesus to you?” is the most important one he needs to wrestle with … the same question we all need to wrestle with.

TGIF people!

Raoul
p.s.
Happy Veteran’s Day! Thank you for your service!

” And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.”
–— Hebrews 9:27

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Maling of New Manila for this clever joke.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Maling of New Manila

These I found.

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Dad

When my Dad came to town my schedule went out the window. He believes these are his last years and he’s come to see his children, grand children and great grandchildren for the last time.

He’s staying with my sister who lives 50 miles away. So I drive through LA traffic and it takes me an hour and a half to get there. If you know me, I have a phobia for traffic so I try to go there after the morning rush and leave right before the evening rush. Like a vampire avoiding direct sunlight, I try to accomplish my tasks with him within the confines of the traffic hours. When I get back home, that’s when I get to do my day job.

For the moment, I am getting all his tech stuff ready before he returns home. I already fixed his iPad and returned his laptop that he couldn’t get to work properly. I helped him with his bank account. I already bought him a walker, earphones, and I plan to load some practical apps.

There was a time long ago when he was my role model. My early fond memories with him was walking to the doctor everyday for over a week to get tetanus shots after a dog had bit me. He would bring me and my bother to the barber shop where I saw him behave differently with “the guys.” He was always driving the family to school, to vacation spots, to family gatherings and special occasions. He wasn’t much of a talker … more of a shrewd businessman. He worked hard, was good in business, dedicated his life to my grandfather’s business at the expense of his own family. He had his faults … to some people he had lots of them and he definitely has enemies. But you know what? He’s still my Dad and I love him.

Dad’s hard of hearing, hard of seeing and hard of walking. At times I catch myself staring at him and wondering if I’m looking at my future self. Will my kids see me any differently? Will they know how much I love them? Will my ears and my eyesight fade as well? I’d like to, but it’s hard to have a meaningful conversation with him now. If I could, I’d like to know how he really feels about facing death and what will happen to him after that. Sadly, he and I do not share the same faith. He has been in my prayers forever. I wish my Dad a lot of things but there is one thing above everything else.

A song from Scott Wesley Brown

I could wish you joy and peace
To last a whole life long,
I could wish you sunshine,
Or a cheerful little song,
Or wish you all the happiness
That this life could bring

But I wish you Jesus,
But I wish you Jesus,
But I wish you Jesus,
More than anything.

I have a good relationship with my Dad and for that I am thankful. How are you and your Dad? Is he still around? Does he know how you feel about him … good or bad? Whoever your Dad is to you, realize one thing: out of all the possible Dads, God gave him to you. There must have been a reason, don’t you think?

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Ernie of Fresno, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Another Flight Steward Gone Viral
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

66 Year Old Body Builder Receives a Special Present
A tearjerker video. Get out your tissues!

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA  who shared this.

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