"Beyond the Years Apart; Finally Back in His Arms Again"
Way back in 2013, my mother and father separated. I went to live with my mother, which meant being apart from my father for 10 years. My last memory with him was us eating together on my birthday. We communicated through texts, but it never felt like enough. Finally, in December 2023, my mother allowed me to visit my father's place in Davao. I was overwhelmed with happiness—words couldn’t express it. "This is my Dad, my Papa, the man I've longed to be with, finally here in front of me."
I was also able to meet the other side of my family, those I hadn’t known or spent much time with, and to share a Christmas holiday with them. Beyond the gifts and their heartfelt welcome, their presence and the chance to spend Christmas together made the holiday extra special.
We went out, and I even played chess with my father. They told me I look just like him most like a carbon copy. We have so many similarities, like favorite foods: pork sisig, macaroni salad, lechon, and more. My father and I shared stories and caught up on the years we missed. There is a bit of sadness for the past 10 years that I wasn't able spend much time with him, but I know God has His plans and purpose. Being reunited with him feels wonderful, and I hope for many more moments together with him in the future.