Tatay...

2/21/12 - 7:34pm

I am totally feeling uber nostalgic today.

It's something about the month of February. It would have been my Tatay's 88th birthday on Sunday. Some part of me still doesn't believe that he is gone...like he is still chillin' in the Philippines. A huge part of me wishes I didn't wait so long to go back there and visit.

If you know me, you would know that my Tatay and I spent a lot of time together when I was a kid. I didn't have my father around, so I depended on Tatay a lot. He would take me to school, to the dentist, to the mall, to Downtown SF (where I currently am writing this), anywhere in needed to go, he was there to bring me.

I don't remember Tatay cooking much because Inang did majority of the time; however, I do remember one day he cooked up some eggs for me and all I remember was that they were the best eggs I had ever eaten...granted I was probably only 5 years old at the time, but still. For some reason that memory has stuck with me.

I also remember he would work at random restaurants from fast food joints to the restaurant at Moffett Field. Tell me why I thought it was "Muppet Field." One day, Tatay brought me there and I was expecting Miss Piggy and Kermit to pop out from behind the bar. I did however get some good peppermint swirl candies that day.

2/25/12 - 10:19 pm

I had a bad day at work yesterday, but by the end of it, I learned what family was about...even though the lesson came from someone I was not related to. That lesson continued onto today with the KapaMEALya potluck at Mercury Lounge. I learned that my friends (now turned family) have impeccable taste in food, but also found who really has my back.

It became a realization that tomorrow is my Tatay's 88th birthday. Technically, it's already his birthday in the Philippines because of the time difference, and I know Inang is lovingly thinking of him. My niece sent me pics of herself with Inang and Manang Irene in the Philippines. I am beyond grateful to see those photos since I live so far from her.

My biggest life lesson is to make love and not drama. I'm still in the process of learning it. In my case, one person who I thought I despised really came through for me on Friday. Was it God giving me a break or Tatay looking out for me? IDK, but I do know is that friends come from the least expected places. You meet people for a reason.

I am so happy to have known my Tatay.

He always had my back. I'm crying as I'm writing this, so before my vision gets too blurry and my sniffles becomes loud enough that it wakes Keaton, I want to give my gratitude to the greatest man in my family and in my life. Tatay, thank you for always taking care of me.

I love you and miss you dearly, Tatay. RIP

Love from your granddaughter,
Joanne