To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter. –Euripides
I never thought I would see the day my father would cry. I did. Fortunately, I just saw it in pictures. It would have been heartbreaking to actually see him crumble.
My father is an epitome of strength, sometimes bordering into sternness. I can still vividly remember the days when my Papa sat beside me, coaching me through my Math subjects in grade school no matter how exasperated I was in solving gazillions of equations. He was the reason I loved Math.
My father did not show a lot of emotions. In fact, back then, I felt that I was disappointing him all the time. Not graduating valedictorian in high school or dropping out of the dean’s list because of stupid swimming classes and failing the physical examinations.
But two weekends ago, on June 17, everything in the past did not matter. During our “last” dance, the love that was very hard to pin down, was so staggering it was like an avalanche. I knew, in my heart, that all these times, he was nothing but a father proud of his daughter.
As the song, You Can Let Go Now Daddy played, I tried so hard to fight the tears. But there it welled.
My relationship with my dad was never vocal. There were no frequent “I love you’s” nor hugs nor heart-to-heart conversation. But I know that I will always be, despite the change in my last name, his little Amechachurra girl – a daughter before I became a wife to somebody. In his family before I have a family of my own.
So to you, Papa, let us just get this out of my system – Thank you so much for everything. I love you. Unconditionally.
Belated Happy Fathers’ Day.
xx,
Your Eldest 🙂
