Dance With the Father

We Didn't See It Coming

"Even though my feelings grew apart from him, I still love him. And I don't want to lose him; not today; not tomorrow; nor in the near future."

We didn't see it coming. I was still working in the exclusive school for boys when we found out that my father was sick. We thought it was Hepatitis, but no. After we got his ultrasound report, we discovered it was liver cirrhosis.

The three of us went to the hospital to get the results. The technician handed it to me personally, so I was the first one who saw the words "cirrhosis of the liver." I knew what it meant. I knew that those suffering liver cirrhosis will only be living for a few months. My father asked me what the result was, but I pretended I didn't understand. I was holding back my tears and tried my very best to remain my composure. However, he took the result from me and read it himself. Finally, I was already able to shed a tear. "Liver cirrhosis. Malapit na ako mamatay," said Papa. We were on our way home in a cab. My father was on the passenger seat, while my mom and I sat at the back. I was already crying because I am not yet ready for him to pass away. I didn't want my father to die.

But God was good. According to his doctor, his liver function was still at 70 percent. His doctors gave him all the necessary measures that he needed to do so as to delay the further deterioration of his liver.

"I was not ready. I knew my father was not ready. But our situation opened my eyes to the possibility that my father will soon leave this world. It made me realize that even though my feelings grew apart from him, I still love him and that I don't want to lose him; not today; not tomorrow; nor in the near future."

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." - Matthew 25:13