I just want to share a poem that I put on Dad’s 90th birthday photobook.
“Go a little slower , Dad” said a little girl so small.
I’m following your path and I don’t want to fall
Sometimes your path is very fast. Sometimes it’s hard to see.
So go a little slower Dad for you are leading me.
Now I’m all grown up , I am what you want me to be.
So go a little slower Dad. I have children now that are following me.
I want to lead them right, just how you led me.
It is okay if you are going slower now Dad. I’m still following you.
Our Dad or Tatay led a full and blessed 91 years. He was a faithful husband, great father, caring grandfather, loving great grandfather and most of all–a faithful servant of the Lord. When my mom passed away 4 years ago, that left a big void in his heart. Because of his faith and trust in the Lord he knew He was going to be there for him every step of the way.
He told everyone he spoke to that he was ready to see his eternal home. But the Lord still had work for him to be done. On Dec. 27, 2009, our oldest brother Roby and his wife Mena arrived in the U.S as immigrants. You could feel the joy and elation in Tatay. He said, “You are all here now”, meaning all of his children are here now in the United States. He added, “Now I can rest”.
Still the Lord had work for him to be done. On Sept. 18, 2011, Mario Jr. or Jun, our youngest brother and the baby of the family (although he is taller than all of us, especially me and Sam) got married to May Ortega. Words are not enough to describe my Tatay’s smile that day.
He told us again, he can rest now. And on August 2 , 2012, the Lord finally answered his prayer. He went home to his eternal home in the arms of our heavenly Father and there waiting for him, is Nanay – the love of his life for 60 years, Niel, my brother, and the rest of the relatives and friends who went before him.
As I close I want to read two verses from The Bible and they are found in 2nd Timothy Chapter 4 verses 7-8 and I quote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith, now there in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award me on that day”.
We will miss you Tatay. We love you. It is not goodbye but we will see you later.
– Lita
