Just like any typical Filipino family, we are not keen on expressing our love and appreciation for our parents, siblings, or any immediate family members. It’s like there is an unspoken rule.

On my last conversation with my father, I opted to say encouraging words for him to stay strong and to get better so we can do many more things together. And that’s my deepest regret. That conversation was our last. I didn’t get to tell him how much I love him and how much I appreciated everything that he is and everything that he has done for us through the years. How much I admired him. The only consolation that I keep telling myself, Daddy knew.

What is it with revered words that make it so hard to express? Why only when we say our farewells or why only on tributes? Why not everyday?

Don’t we have enough days and plenty of times to say appreciative words for everyone that makes our lives a bit better and a lot easier? There’s no need for us to wait for a special moment (whether it be celebratory or in grieving) to let someone know that everything is better because you make it happen. Because you are here.

Perhaps, a simple thank you for always cooking the best meals. Thank them for helping you achieve your dreams. Tell them you appreciate how much easier life is because they take the loads for you. Simple everyday things that we take for granted because we look at it as an obligation instead of a sacrifice done out of love.

Next month, I’ll be traveling home to be with my mother and my siblings. Mang (as we fondly call her) has early dementia. I promise myself that I’m going to spend as much time as possible with her and that I am going to remind her of our life back then and how much in spite of the difficulties we faced during those times, she made everything doable and worth remembering.

I am not going to make the same mistakes that I did for not letting Daddy know.

Revered words should not be just for tributes and farewells.

It should be here and now.

Until next time,