Happy Father's Day

Best Dad

A Rare Occasion

My dad's day started early. His friend is scheduled for cataract extraction today and he wants my dad's company. It is no problem for my dad since he is, incidentally, due for his eye check-up today, too.

It's his birthday, too, but we didn't have any plans. We are just set to cook spaghetti for long life, as with every Filipino's tradition.

From the hospital, he called. He was excited to tell us that the check-up was good and that he is just to finish the eye drops and he can go ahead and have his eye glasses fitted. He can now also do those things that were not allowed after the procedure, and I am sure that he is very excited to go back to swimming - his one and only sport. He was supposed to just leave his friend accompanied by his son-in-law but they didn't want him to leave before them, so, he said that he will wait until his friend was done. He came home stuffed with lunch treat from his friend.

It was after lunch time when we got a text message from one of our two nephews that we took care of when they were kids. He asked if we didn't have any plans and he invited us to dine out when we said we didn't have any.

We ate at Max's and it was a good dinner. When we finally parted ways, I sent him a text message: Thank you for the wonderful dinner. You just don't know what it means to us!

He answered: Wala po 'yon, basta kayo, nanginginig pa!

I laughed as I read the message aloud for my dad to hear. Then after a while, I replied: Ang sarap pala ng feeling pag libre ng apo/pamangkin.

I know you know how it feels. And if you're still young, you'll know by the time you get old.

P.S.
I brought a camera but weren't able to take pictures. Maybe we all were too excited to talk that we totally forgot about it.

A for Attitude

Dad had cataract extraction this morning. It was a simple process. It took him only fifteen minutes inside the room. The wait was even longer because there were a lot of patients that are also waiting.

This program is open to all, but we see mostly senior citizens. The major requirement is that you must have a PhilHealth card to avail of the services. We prepared the documents required and just sent a message to the medical assistant telling her that the requirements are ready and she'll give us a schedule. No need to go there again for that. It saves a lot of time and money for our part. Good service.

I want to commend the people who organized this program. We see how it benefits these people who are getting blind, nearly blind, almost blind and totally blind from cataract. [I didn't take pictures since this is one of the things that I jut don't feel like doing.] It has helped a lot of people ever since I think September last year.

The second thing I want to commend is the way the medical assistant, Danica, has been very patient with the patients who are mostly senior citizens. We have been through a lot of business, organizations, government institutions, private and public hospitals. Most of the service really sucks. But I don't want to talk about it because I know it's obvious for most of us, if not all. Danica is very patient with the patients' questions which I believe had been asked to her a hundred (or more) times. She patiently assists patients who do not have companions and patiently guides them through the medical process. This also holds true with the rest of the team. They, too, have been very patient in dealing with all of us there.

The team is composed of very young people. One thing that is most admirable. I believe we have a stereotype (and this is true) with young people nowadays being hot-and-short-tempered when it comes to old people. But this team, age range is probably 25-30, handles the patients very gently, nicely and pleasantly. I never heard them raised their voices or smirk or frown not even once during the whole time that we were there, which was from 9:00 am - 12:00 nn. When we left, there were still several patients waiting for their turn.

I have been talking about this on my twitter account since yesterday and I got responses that this is quite rare, and I agree! If all young people have this kind of attitude, we the older generations could expect that we will be treated pleasantly during our later years. I want to know how parents raise these kind of kids. I want to know how to teach a child one of the important values, if not the most, which is RESPECT. They deserve an A for bringing up their kids in a very good way. As for this children, they also deserve an A for learning how to obey their parents and accept the values.

What's For Breakfast?

This morning. I've long craved for hotcakes. So, I saw to it that it's what I am going to get this Sat morning. I woke up just about the ideal time for me, and the weather seems to be cooperating; a little cloudy but no rain. The mixture would just be the usual instant thingy, but I suddenly remembered those days and how my mom prepares her home-made hotcakes; the recipe passed on through how many generations.

It was all done in a matter of minutes, and I served it not too hot because my dad is not a fan of steaming meals. This is not our usual breakfast of pandesal at kape, but it's the usual routine. We wait for 15 minutes because his prescription tells him so. We heat the coffee just in time for that.

We were eating one each. I cooked another extra just in case we want to indulge. Half way through our servings, I told my dad that we can share the other serving; just to indulge since this doesn't happen all the time. But my dad says no and ate all his servings. I was urging him to take the other half but he wouldn't; but asked me if I will get my other half. I told him no because I'm good with what I had. Then, he said, 'I could eat another serving because it's good, but it's too sweet for me. And besides, I've already tasted and that's good enough for me.'

If only… if only I have my dad's will! Do you know of a book called "The Art of Saying No to Good Foods?" E-mail me if you know one… LOL!

Enjoy!