The 11-Year Journey

How one man’s steadfastness fortified his legacy

"I know he is smiling from up there with his 'thumbs up' sign!"

Dad's sojourn was arduous but enlightening

Papa: the shining light of our family

My father passed away in 2016. Prior to his passing, he was bedridden for around 11 years due to a hip accident that left him unable to walk despite undergoing therapy. We, his family, decided against hip surgery because of his age and pre-existing medical conditions from 2001.

Back then, he was diagnosed with throat cancer resulting in a laryngectomy (excision of the larynx or the voice box). As if this wasn’t horrific enough, he was still recovering from the brain surgery he underwent in the late '80s due to aneurysm. It was too much to bear, not just for him but also for us who suffered with him.

Resolute in Suffering

Papa, through it all, never complained about everything that happened. At least, not to us. He never told us if he was in pain. He always gestured with his signature “thumbs up” sign that everything was okay, that he was okay... up to the very end. But somehow, we knew because we saw tears well up in his eyes.

I was with him during his last few hours in the hospital while his blood pressure dropped, his lesions from the bedsore procedure cleared, and the toxins exited his body. After some time, his whole body went cold. I knew it was just a matter of time. I had to leave him temporarily to pick up my sister at the airport. As soon as my sister’s plane landed, Papa left.

The Family Credo

Papa had five daughters. He was very strict but he was also proud of us. His motto was “I did it my way.” Somehow, this conviction was embedded in our psyche. This resulted in all his daughters finishing college despite his incapacity to provide for our education. We were also able to land jobs on our own without asking for help or approaching a “padrino” (a patron much like The Godfather).

Papa positively beamed during my wedding day.

The Bequest

Papa was a dedicated aircraft mechanic. I don’t know if it was by fate or whatnot that I married one, and two of my sons are also in the aviation industry. Although none of his daughters followed in his footsteps, Papa’s legacy as an aircraft mechanic lives on in his grandsons.

I know he is smiling from up there with his “thumbs up” sign!

Dedicated to our beloved father

Photo Credits

• Snapshot: Provided by the family

• Aerial shot: Patrick Tomasso