Today, while driving to work, I spotted my dad's old car on the road. It brought me a few fond memories of times I had with him.
One of the first was when he had first bought the car. Shortly after he did, I suggested that he break it in and when he asked me what I suggested. I said "let's go gambling in Tagaytay!" It wasn't the biggest surprise but it was a surprise no less, he said "let's go!"
I can't remember if we went that same night or a few nights later, but we went. Had a great chat on our way there, spent P500 each and lost it almost immediately on slot machines. In the end, we weren't there for very long and got back into the car to head home. On our way, we decided to buy mom something from Whistle's Top and went to the Eastwood branch, you know the one that was outside on C5? It's no longer there.
Anyway, what I remember the most from that trip was that we had heart to heart conversations and were able to break down a few barriers in our relationship. I admitted things to him that I had previously denied, and he shared a bunch of things as well, including how he felt about mom being sick and how he wishes some things could have been otherwise.
I also remember bumping that car! That was a bad one and he got really mad at me. I don't even know why I took it. I had the Civic to use but for one reason or another, used that car instead and while fighting with Rhea on our way home from Capones, drunk, I ran a light and hit another car. I ended up driving the car home and the next day, when I woke up, he was so mad at me that he couldn't talk to me. I fixed all the work that needed to be done for the insurance but that didn't change how disappointed he was at me. And I certainly don't blame him.
After that, even when Monica had owned the car after dad died, I was upset with her for bumping it. I guess you could call it my protectiveness over the car. Then when she sold it for dirt cheap, again I was upset with her, but then again, it's not like she really could've gotten more for it.
I miss my dad. I think about him a lot and often wonder if he'd be proud of the man i've come to be. I think he'd be pleased with me in terms of my being a husband and father, but all in all, in general, I still wonder if i'd make him proud.
It's going to be his death anniversary in a just under 3 weeks. It's been 11 years and though i'll never completely get over it, i'm better able to deal with his physical absence.
I love you pops! I can think of no better father than you.
Do you have any stories you'd like to share about road trips with your dead parents?
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