08/18/18, Celebrating Papa’s 90th Birthday
Celebrating Papa’s 90th in Arcadia
505, August 18, 2018
My Dearest Parents,
Now that you are in Heaven, how I wish that I spent more time with you Pa and Ma while you were still here with us. I realized it is too late now that you are both gone. How I miss you both and longing for your voice, your advice, your stories about China, Mama’s stories about Japan’s cruelty, Mama’s unconditional love… If I can only find a way to bring you back so I can give you both my tightest hug and my sweetest kiss, so I can be with you both for one last time. That will make the happiest of my life. But I know you have a new home now with our Lord, joyful and free of all the decay of the world. Although I am sad to lose you both, I should keep reminding myself that I should be happy for you. You are in a special place that only special people can go to. I am very proud of you both, not because of your life accomplishments, but because you were and to this day, loved by many.
Earlier today, I was at the gym observing some seniors exercising by themselves. They could barely walk, yet they were all by themselves with no help, no assistance and no love from their kids or relatives. I felt sad and remembered both of you. All of a sudden, it gave me a jolt of happiness for feeling lucky to have served you, Pa and Ma, on your most difficult moments of your lives. It was very fulfilling to be able to share my love, to cook for you, to feed you, and to assist you on all your daily needs. I miss those afternoon walks to the park where sometimes Mama would cheat and intentionally slow down so she did not need to walk too far. I miss our dinner together at Garden Cafe, Henry’s and May May. Those were the days that I took for granted and I now finally realize that you are both gone and will never return. Thank you for all those memories. I will cherish those moments for the rest of my life.
I will strive my very best to continue what I have learned from you both: to love my kids unconditionally, to be patient, to respect others especially elderly, to have good virtue and most especially, to spread the love. My words alone cannot thank you enough for all the things you have done to me, for bringing me to who I am now and for all your support and love. I will be forever indebted to both of you, Pa and Ma. I love you and I miss you so much. One day I will see both of you again. One day, we will be together once again enjoying one another with our Lord. By the way, happy 90th birthday, Pa.
Your son, Walter
Celebrating Papa’s 90th in Davao
William, Windell, Winston Families
Celebrating Papa’s Chinese 90th Birthday at the Mausoleum, Forest Lake in Davao. (William, Bing and Vincent, Windell, Diana, Crisha, and Matthew John, Winston, Sally and Trevin.)(Special thanks to Cris for the computer setup, Video playing, and pictures)
504 lead the group in prayers and the viewing of Papa’s favorite verse made to music “He is Like a Tree“. Litson lunch with misua, and chocolate cake enjoyed by everyone.
Celebrating Papa’s 90th in Wrightwood
503, 113, Matt Matt & John-John
Tracing our walks in the mountain city of Wrightwood with Papa and Mama during the thanksgiving week of Nov-2005. Matthew and John were then 8 months old. Today, Aug-18, 2018, they are 13 years old. We went to the same familiar United Methodist Church Campground at Elm Street. We had a nice lunch at Grizzly Bear Restaurant, and took time out to stroll the downtown park where a classic cars exhibition is held. I can only wish that both Papa and Mama are here today. The nostalgic feelings brought tears to my eyes. Papa and Mama are now in a better place in Heaven.
As a young boy, I thought you were the smartest person in the world.
As a teen, I thought your rules were too strict and a bit more than harsh.
As a young adult, I thought, I can be so much better than you.
But as I mature toward the forty-ish – sixty-ish, I realized that the best I can be is being my father’s son.
The best I can even hope now for is to be just a fraction of what you are.
I can only be thankful that everything you did was to pave a way for the family.
My words of gratitute will never be enough.
And I remain forever grateful to have a father like you.
Happy 90th Birthday Papa.
