My Dad is 83 years old

suffering from congestive heart failure.

He has difficulty breathing,

thus, he can’t walk too far.

Walking with him today presented a contrary picture

of his younger years of independent life

and his present health that requires dependency.

I looked at him and asked myself,

what can I be grateful for about this man?

This is the man who disciplined me

in a very rigid and inflexible manner.

He put me down verbally and physically punished me

when I was wrong.

What a painful memories to remember as a child.

I felt bitter and angry when I was growing up.

He created a lot of fear within me.

Even just the sight of a police officer

made me  tremble and speechless.

The thought of this childhood memories

is something I will remember,  not to feel bitterness

 but to help me become a better person, parent and myself.

Now that my Dad is old and weak

what can I be grateful  for?

I thought about this while  my brother David and I

walked with him along the Lake Ontario in Canada.

I realized and know for a long time,

when I reached my maturity and adult life,

I have so many things to be grateful for.

My Dad

A strong believer in God and Jesus Christ.

A man who prefers humility than honor.

A man who told me

that to be a Christian

is the best we can do

in this life

My Dad

A highly principled man.

Honest to who he is and to his words.

Strong in teaching me what is right and wrong.

Outspoken to what needed to be said and heard.

A man of  integrity and dignity.

A man who would prefer poverty to riches to show what is social justice.

After my reflective questions

Of what I can be grateful for

I hugged my Dad

Said the words “I love you” and “thank you”

For behind all the things he have done

His objectives and motives

was  to raise good children.