A Touching Story
April 19, 2015Image Source: txvirus.deviantart.com |
Time is gold... Health is wealth.... Quotes that have only three words in it but I think comes with a great meaning. Am I right?
Today, I came across one of this story in my file that I thought is really worth sharing. I don't know who wrote so I cannot acknowledge the author of this wonderful story. Anyway, this is for everyone out there who have been so focused on their careers that they forgot that they have also life they need to attend to.
Happy reading!
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4 years ago, an accident took my beloved away and very often I wonder, how does my wife, who is now in the heavenly realm, feel right now? She must be feeling extremely sad for leaving a husband who is incapable to taking care of the house and the kid 'cos that is the exact feeling that I have, as I feel that I have failed to provide for the physical and emotional needs of my child, and failed to be the dad
and mum for my child.
There was one particular day, when I had an emergency at work. Hence, I had to leave home whilst my child was still sleeping. So thinking that there was still rice leftovers, I hastily cooked an egg and left
after informing my sleepy child.
With the double roles, I am often exhausted at work as well as when I am home. So after a long day, I came home, totally drained of all energy. So with just a brief hug and kiss for my child, I went straight into the room, skipping dinner. However, when I jumped into my bed with intention of just having a well-deserved sleep, all I heard and felt was broken porcelain and warm liquid! I flipped open my
blanket, and there lies the source of the 'problem'... a broken bowl with instant noodles and a mess on the bedsheet and blanket!
Boy, was I mad! I was so furious that I took a clothes hanger, charged straight at my child who was happily playing with his toy, and give him a good spanking! He merely cried but not asking for mercy, except a short explanation:
"Dad, I was hungry and there wasn't anymore leftover rice. But you
were not back yet, hence I wanted to cook some instant noodles. But I
remembered you reminding me not to touch or use the gas stove without
any adults around, hence I turned on the shower and used the hot water
from the bathroom to cook the noodles.
One is for you and the other is for me. However, I was afraid that the
noodles will turn cold, so I hid it under the blanket to keep it warm
till you return. But I forgot to remind you 'cos I was playing with my
toys...I am sorry Dad..."
At that moment, tears were starting to run down my cheeks...but I didn't want my son to see his dad crying so I dashed into the bathroom and cried with the shower head on to mask my cries. After that episode, I went towards my son to give him a tight hug and applied medication on him, while coaxing him to sleep. Then, it was time to clear up the mess on the bed. When everything was done and well past midnight, I passed my son's room, and saw that he was still crying, not from the pain on his little buttock, but from looking at the photograph of his beloved mummy.
A year has passed since the episode, I have tried, in this period, to focus on giving him both the love of his dad and mum, and to attend to most of his needs. And soon, he is turning seven, and will be graduating from kindergarten. Fortunately, the incident did not leave a lasting impression on his childhood memories and he is still happily growing up.
However, not so long ago, I hit my boy again, with much regret. This time, his kindergarten teacher called, informing me of my son's absence from school. I took off early from work and went home, expecting him to explain. But he wasn't to be found, so I went around our house, calling out his name and eventually found him outside a stationery shop, happily playing computer games. I was fuming, brought him home and whack the hell out of him. He did not retaliate, except to say, 'I am sorry, Dad'. But after much probing, I realized that it was a 'Talent Show' organized by his school and the invite is for every student's mummy.
And that was the reason for his absence as he has no mummy.....
Time passes by very quickly, and soon another year has passed. It's winter, and its Christmas time. Everywhere the christmas spirit is in every passer-by...Christmas carols and frantic shoppers....but alas, my son got into another trouble. When I was about to knock off from the day's work, the post office called. Due to the peak season, the post master was also on an edgy mood. He called to tell me that my son has attempted to post several letters with no addressee. Although I did make a promise never to hit my son again, I couldn't help but to hit him as I feel that this child of mine is really beyond control.
Once again, as before, he apologized, ' I'm sorry, Dad' and no additional reason to explain. I pushed him towards a corner, went to the post office to collect the letters with no addressee and came home, and angrily questioned my son on his prank, during this time of the year.
His answer, amidst his sobbing, was : The letters were for Mummy.
My eyes grew teary, but I tried to control my emotions and continued to ask him: " But why did u post so many letters, at one time?" My son's reply was: " I have been writing to mummy for a long time, but each time I reach out for the post box, it was too high for me, hence I was not able to post the letters. But recently, when I went back to the postbox, I could reach it and I sent it all at once..."
After hearing this, I was lost. Lost at not knowing what to do, what to say....
I told my son, " Son, mummy is in the heavenly kingdom, so in future, if you have anything to tell her, just burn the letter and it will reach mummy. My son, on hearing this, was much pacified and calm, and soon after, he was sleeping soundly. On promising that I will burn the letters on his behalf, I brought the letters outside, but couldnt help opening the letter before they turn to ash.
And one of the letters broke my heart....
Dear Mummy,
I miss you so much! Today, there was a 'Talent Show' in school, and the school invited all mothers for the show. But you are not around, so I did not want to participate as well. I did not tell Dad about it as I was afraid that Dad would start to cry and miss you all over again. Dad went around looking for me, but in order to hide my sadness, I sat in front of the computer and started playing games at one of the shops. Dad was furious, and he couldn't help it but scolded and hit me, but I did not tell him the real reason. Mummy, everyday I see Dad missing you and whenever he think of you, he is so sad and often hide and cry in his room. I think we both miss you very very much. Too much for our own good I think. But Mummy, I am starting to forget your face. Can you please appear in my dreams so that I can see your face and remember you? I heard that if you fall asleep with the photograph of the person whom you miss, you will see the person in your dreams. But mummy, why haven't you appear?
After reading the letter, I cant stop sobbing. 'cos I can never replace the
irreplaceable gap left behind by my wife....
For the females with children:
Don't do so much overtime. If you cannot finish the work, it must be some kind of problems within the company, and it is not your sole problem. Feedback to your boss. Endless overtime may not necessary be the answer to the problem. Take care of your health so that you can treasure and take care of your little precious.
For the married men:
Drink less, smoke less, cos nothing can replace your good health, not even business nor clients.
Try thinking this way, are you able to work till your clients are totally dependent on you? or your boss is totally dependent on you? In this society, no one is indispensable.
Take care of your health, so that you can take care of your little precious and your loved ones.
For those singles out there:
Beauty lies in loving yourself first.
With confidence and loving yourself, you will see the beauty in other things around you. You will be able to work better and happier. Don't let your health be affected by your work or your boss, so nothing
matters more than your well being.
10 comments
This is certainly a touching story. One has always to remember to spend time with their love ones.
ReplyDeleteAw sis. I am teary eyed right now. This is the reason why I really don't like having overtime at work. As a working mom and parents, I always feel guilty that I have to leave my son in the hands of other people. You know that feeling that there's nothing enough that I can do even f I already did my best. Kulang pa rin. It's the main reason why I am doing what I can do now so that soon I can permanently leave my work and be there with my son 24/7.
ReplyDeleteyes mommy maye, i think i will have the same feeling as yours when then the time comes that I will have to leave my child just to work for their future also
DeleteI can certainly relate to this story. Thank you for sharing! Sometimes, I am so preoccupied with the household chores that I would do those first instead of taking care of my son. As a parent, this has reminded me to give more and more time for my child.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is too early to cry but I don't care, talagang pang FAMAS ako kong umiiyak (hehehe) The story is very touchy and so true in so many ways. I lost my DAD when I was 10 and I'm the eldest of 3 siblings. It's very hard! Kinda similar to the story that you posted my Mom and my younger brother always not around because they stay on the farm trying to provide our needs, and I always wish that someday life would be better. I work harder and study the hardest. I feel so incomplete growing up, I wish that my Dad is with me, with us but I know God have a better plan. Sorry Sis, I posted long comment nadala lang talaga ako.. hehehe
ReplyDeletewww.wish4less.com
It is indeed a story to reflect with.. Lets spend more time with our love ones
ReplyDeleteOh :( We really have to show others how important they are while they are still there especially if to our family.
ReplyDeleteThis is so touching :-) the story is right sometimes we tend to forget our kid because we are busy but we must always remember we have a mission why they are with us we need to guide and give them the love that they deserve. Children are blessings from God and we must love it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very depressing story... it's so sad that the father had to learn over and over again that his son needed a compassionate touch not punishment. We need to listen to our children more.
ReplyDelete