Last year, in Leyte, he was already admitted in the hospital several days prior to his birthday. Then he was discharged on the 7th. On his birthday, he celebrated it with our relatives, friends and neighbors. His diet was still controlled back then but still he was very happy to be able to spend the day with cheeriness and warmth with the people who have become a part of his life. I sent a cash gift to him and phoned him and my mom. The thought of that day being his last birthday never crossed my mind.
The next day he was admitted to the hospital again.
Oh, he really wanted to get out of the hospital to spend that special day!
We celebrated his celestial birthday on a Sunday, September 8th, 2013 at his resting place. We brought a lot of his fave foods, flowers and prepared a slideshow of his pictures. We didn't include the ones where he was suffering at the hospital- just photos where my Papa was smiling and free from all pain.
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| The slideshow of Papa's photos |
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| Our family during his birthday |
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| Two birthday cakes and a huge Amber's spaghetti- mouthwatering! |
We spent the rainy afternoon, holding a prayer, telling stories about Papa, memories and events that lighten our mood. It's pretty hard to deal with his first birthday after his death but we don't have any choice but to move forward and cherish his memories.
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| Papa's cap. I could still smell his scent on it! |
"We will celebrate you mourn, and mourn you less."
Happy 64th Birthday Papa!!! We miss you terribly. We love you dearly Pops!
