My Children Declaring Their Blessings Upon Their Father

In 2022, during the 73rd birthday celebration of their father, my children declared their blessings upon him:

We HONOR AND BLESS YOU, PAPA, FOR YOUR HEART AS A FATHER TO ROSE AND ME.  WE HONOR YOU FOR THE YEARS THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED FOR OUR NEEDS (AND MORE), AND CONTINUE TO FATHER US EVEN THROUGH OUR ADULT LIVES. YOUR DEDICATION IN LOVING US THE BEST YOU KNOW HOW IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED AND WILL ALWAYS BE ETCHED IN OUR HEARTS.  THANK YOU, PAPA!

 

We honor you for the wisdom in finding this land that has become our home growing up, that you and Mama have passed down to Rose and me.  It has been years that this has been divided, and are already in our names, way before you are gone just so we won’t have to trouble with it in the future.  Well, Mama has a considerable hand on that, but nothing will come out of it anyway, without your agreement.  It was only years ago when I first heard the story behind how you found this address.  Thank you, Papa.

We honor and admire you in your mastery of your profession, when most people your age has stopped working, you remain sharp, sought after by your clients.  We are proud of you, Papa. 

We honor you, Papa, for the many loving ways you have shown us how to become good parents ourselves.  We thank you for being available for us in so many ways:

 ·   Your generosity in how you show your love during those times that we had no helper – doing our laundry, and pressing our clothes (that you still do to this day for Rose).  What father does that?

 ·    I remember never having to lift a finger to debone my fish viand.  All we had to do was show up, sit down and eat.  You continue to ration us with sweet potatoes and buko juice all these years.  And whenever we express our gratitude, I have  come to memorize your response, “para yon lang.”

 ·    Your generosity cascades to your children’s children, Jed and Sam.

 ·    We honor you for those seemingly trivial but teaching moments that you may not be aware of.  A few of them:  I remember when there was this one time when I was little, Rose or I was about to throw a candy wrapper from the car window, and you stopped me.  You got the trash and told me to never throw trash that way.  I grew up conscientious over these things and have passed it on to Jed as well.

 ·    There was a time when we had to fall in a long line to wait for our ride from Mama’s office.  It would have easily been a bad day because of the crazy long line, but your cheerful countenance, positivity, even affected the next person beside us to smile and just chill while we waited for our ride.

We honor you for the many ways you have been a model for us to follow.  We are blessed to be called your children, Papa.  We thank you for the ways you reflect God the Father’s heart to us – to protect and love.  We thank you for imparting your wisdom and teaching us valuable life lessons.  We even thank you for forgiving us for the many ways we may have dishonored you in the past.

For the remaining years that God grants you to remain upon the earth, which we will continue to pray to be decades more:

May you never be without the presence of the Holy Spirit.

May your heart always be at peace.  May your mind always be alert and learning.

May your strength match the length of your days.

May God keep you in His love at all times.

We bless your memories so that you may recall the goodness of God and the great times with family and friends.

We bless your spiritual life, that you may continue to worship God in spirit and truth

We commit ourselves to walk with you for the rest of your journey in this side of eternity.

As you look upon your children today, you are also looking at the beginning of a legacy that will last for generations.  We commit ourselves to carry forward your legacy and pass on our spiritual heritage to our children and grandchildren.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26

                                                                                     Jen & Rose