Happy Birthday, dad.

10.10.10 - for many, this is an auspicious date. Likewise, many consider this as a bad date. Others just don't give a hoot. For me, it is special. Because it's my dad's birthday. Of course, he is not around to celebrate it. He passed on rather suddenly on 14 March this year after suffering a short, perplexing, surprising, illness. I miss him terribly but I don't think it shows on my face or through my actions. Deep in my heart I'm crying constantly. I feel sad for my mom most of all. More than four decades as a married couple and so suddenly, one is no more present. People say that it's in the first two years that you are at your most vulnerable after the passing of a loved one. Why two years? Oh well. I pray that she would continue to be strong. We are always around for her and so are her friends and relatives. I wish for all of my siblings that they would stay strong. As for me, I pray that I stay grounded like him. But I also wish that my life is not entangled with so much emotion.

Anyway, that's for another chat.

Happy birthday, dad. You make 10.10.10 super-awesome for me. Love you always.