From that day on, Stephanie showed steady improvement. With great courage, she approached her recovery with energy and humor. She never complained or asked "Why me?" She simply would ask, "What's next?" We met with a series of rehabilitation specialists, who outlined a program for her to regain her strength and her skills. After a day at physical therapy, where many of the kids were coughing and sneezing, we decided it would be better to rehabilitate her at home. Both Charlie and I took a leave from work, and my mother came to help. We helped Stephanie re-learn how to walk, feed herself, ride her bike and read. We stayed focused on small improvements and watched slow, steady progress. After six months of daily care, we decided to take a break and go to Disney World. Planning the trip gave Stephanie a new focus and seemed to accelerate her progress. After careful coordination with her doctor, we were off for a week of fun and relaxation. From the moment she entered the Magic Kingdom in a stroller, she was fascinated by a rocket-ship ride on top of a building. The faster the ride went around, the higher the rockets flew. She begged to take a spin, but the line was long, and in the heat, we knew we'd have to pace ourselves. Instead, we went on the Teacups. What a mistake! It seems like someone was always getting sick on the Teacups. Then we tried It's A Small World After All. We didn't know that once you heard that tune, you could never get it out of your head. All Stephanie wanted was to ride that rocket ship, but we knew she couldn't tolerate waiting up to an hour in such heat. Finally, on the last day, right about closing, we saw that the line had all but disappeared. We ran over to the gate only to have a smiling attendant pull the chain across saying, "That's all for today. You come back and see Mickey tomorrow."

With tears in my eyes, I found myself explaining about our year - how Stephanie had been so sick, in a coma and had spent months working every day at recovery. I practically yelled, "You have to let her on this ride! This is the only one she really wanted to do." The young attendant grinned, pulled the chain open and motioned us onto the platform. As the sun set and beautiful colors streaked across the sky, Stephanie and I climbed onboard the rockets. We were the only people on the ride, as throngs of visitors streamed out of the park. As the rocket began to go faster and faster, and climb higher in the sky, Stephanie laughed and screamed with joy. At that instant, I knew she would be okay and our family would continue to recover together. Just as the ride slowed, the attendant came on the loudspeaker, "That ride was from Mickey. Now, here is an extra ride for Stephanie from me." And he gave us an extra ride. Now, if you were to ask happy, healthy Stephanie today what is the best thing that ever happened to her, she would say, "That extra ride at Disney World, because that one was just for me." A small gesture from a stranger who magically made a difference in our lives.

posted by allgrrl1978 @ 8:03 AM
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For some, he is a strict disciplinarian best remembered for making one soldier salute 1000 times for failure to recognize superiors and another was punished for standing on one foot while on guard. To others, he is quiet,reserved and observant, qualities that made him last 15 years in the ISAFP. I remember my Mom riding the plane from Palawan, not knowing that one of the Abu Sayyaf inmates was also on the plane. My Dad knew all along but never said anything. Security purposes, eh. Dad is one person who I trust can keep a secret to the grave. Minsan khet dapat sabihin na, wala pa reng imik.Still to others, he was one of the "worst" Instructor Pilots. Worst meaning he will make sure you get everything right because, hey, you are driving a plane. There is no room for mistakes out there.

Dad was not perfect. He grew up fending for himself and was not really brought up in a loving family. Back then, parents gave their children what they needed and nothing more. I guess this is why he still needs you to ask him or tell him what you need. But with Dad, there were "extras" and these made it growing up such fun. Although we never went to annual summer vacations, nor drove brand new cars after graduation or had credit cards for our gimiks, we were OK. Really special times were spent having breakfast at Intercon Hotel or Makati Shangri-La. Weekends spent at malls, joyriding along the Laguna Lake Loop whenever we feel like it and trips to Palawan, Cebu and Bohol.

Now, Dad is semi-retired and I am basically on my own when it comes to expenses. And this is where I miss Dad the most. One humbling experience was I was expecting my paycheck already and literally had no more money on me. Who else came to my rescue but Dad. He picked me up and brought me home, my 27-year old ego and me. Who was I kidding? Dad was there when I messed up my life and looked at me in the same eyes that I met when I was 4 years old, 10 years old, 19 years old. He took care of my son and never looked back. He is both father and grandfather to Potching. I couldn't fight back the tears as I saw the video showing him and Potching climbing the Chocolate Hills view deck - all 220 steps of it. As soon as they reached the top step, the people cheered and clapped for them. The grandfather who took the little boy as his own, and the little boy who would not let go.

And now, our "bonding sessions" are spent while waiting for the bus to take me to work. There we would talk about the day's events, his new work and I would tell him about mine. Who cares if the passengers hear me yell "Bye Dad!" as soon as I board the bus.

To Dad: the Officer and the Gentleman, the Pilot who steered our lives to soar great heights and the Daduy who always believed in me. I wish you fair winds and blue skies (wink, wink!). Happy Father's Day!

posted by allgrrl1978 @ 8:51 AM
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For all the wonderful people who have been making fantastic blogs (check out my sidebar to know who I mean.. ) who have altered the way we communicate and the way we kill time ( hehe), who have kept us updated, entertained and amused, touched and enraged, this is one big fruit basket to all of you!

Enjoy and keep blogging!

Read for a celebration of the 2nd Annual International Weblogger's Day!

posted by allgrrl1978 @ 9:33 AM
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