I Remember Jose . . .

Letters

Before I was born my father had a printing shop business while working as an air traffic controller and this set came from his printing collection which I treasure.

From A Flowers Point of View

This was one of my father's paper weights which I loved to use since I was a child which kept all my drawings in place in Papa's huge desk whenever I need to take a break. The cactus flower was the same one in my previous post.

Bliss

I recently had Halo-Halo with my sister Luchie. Halo-halo (from the filipino word halo which means mixed) is a local dessert of mixed fruits and topped with coconut milk, crushed ice, the local ice cream sorbetes, leche flan (sweet milk pudding) ube jam, rice crispies and barquillos (baked rolled flat bread) etc. I remember a lot of merienda (snacks) moments with my Papa in the past where we had halo-halo from Quiapo to the Jeepney bar in Hotel Intercon! Halo-halo also reminds me so much of Filipinos and their mixed heritage, their colorful art and wonderful culture that makes them resilient, funny, clannish, and spiritual.

Natural Frame

I love holding this old picture of my father and the many wonderful memories he left with us.

Emotion

The darkening sky as we celebrate today the 150th birthday of our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal (Mercado) and of fathers day and remembering my late father also named Jose, and of my brother Jose Maria Jr. or Joey and my other brother Jojo and all the fathers who embraced their fatherhood and their motherland and inspired their children to be their own heroes . . .

Oh, I remember Jose . . .

. . . and how he refused and forbade us to say or wave goodbye to him every time he leaves . . . and of how a week before he died he kept requesting me to play his favorite Frank Sinatra album, and of how I cry every time I hear Sinatra's song Softly As I Leave You until now . . .

. . . of how he always admonished adults against hurting a child's feelings and being sensitive to a child and allowed us to express ourselves . . .

. . . of how he reminded us to always do things well and not settle for mediocrity even for volunteer work.

. . . and of using our time well and knowing which direction to take . . .

Papa's compass which I use for feng shui!

. . . of always looking for each other at all times and to remember that we are always on the same team which is why distance and time has kept me and my siblings close through the years . . .

. . . of what creativity means and how it can refine and mold our personalities.

. . . of praying always and trusting our fate in God's hands.

My father Joe was my hero and the best man for my Mama who was the best heroine in my own fairytale . . .

Happy Father's day everyone!