I can still picture my poor father as the effect of cancer slowly worked its way through his body. My dad, once an excellent physical specimen of health was now being slowly eaten away by the disease, he always believed that his body was a temple and thus took good care of it. Such a cruel jest of the gods to play on such a noble character. Half a year ago to this day father was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He took it all in his stride like a martyr urging us to stay together and be strong, I marveled at his spiritual strength as the rest of our feelings were torn to shreds by the news, I vowed to try to be as strong as him.
After several months of what seemed like endless treatments, fathers body was racked with pain and he was left looking much older and feebler than his years. Then the doctor dropped another bombshell, the cancer couldnt be contained and had spread to his liver. This was too much for poor mother and she broke down weeping the whole night through. The sounds of mothers sobs and the ashen looks on our faces said it all but dad remained as stalwart as always merely nodding in acceptance. What else could we do but hold hands and pray to get through that long and bitter night.
One day, when I was watching television in dads hospital room, he asked me if I can do him a favor. I said yes and what does he want. You remember the personalized photo mugs you gave me, the one with the picture we took during your graduation? Can you bring it here? he said. Suddenly I remember the mug, but I never knew that he gave so much thought about it. So after looking through the closet where he said he kept it, I finally saw it again. The white porcelain mug, with our photo and the words Thanks Dad! under it. Suddenly, I thought back to the day we took the picture.
The story of the mug was a simple one. My parents had attended my convocation and my mum cajoled us to take a photo together. So we took one, just the two of us, father and son. A rare occasion for a man more comfortable being the creator of such pictures. It was an awkward but nonetheless happy situation as my father was more than a little camera shy. The warmth of the sunshine that day could not compare to the warmth I felt from both my parents, dad especially looked like he had just hit the jackpot. I could feel his pride at watching me step up to accept my scroll, suma cum laude. As the euphoria of the moment began to pass, I decided to do a little something so dad could remember our happiness on that day. I went out to the local mall and made a personalized photo mug using our photograph together which sells a variety of other stuff such as personalized baptism photo mugs, custom firefighter coffee mugs and so on.
When I went home and saw dad there watching television, I was feeling nervous because this was the first time I ever gave him anything. So I just walked to him and said, Here dad, this is for you. He was obviously surprised since this was the first time I ever gave him a gift so he just blurted out a thank you. Afterwards late at night, when I saw him sitting at the dining table holding and looking at the mug that I just gave him earlier, I could see him flashing a smile that I have never seen before and right then, I knew I had made the right choice by giving him that personalized photo mug.
Back at the hospital, I passed the personalized reunion mug to dad. He just looked at it, and gave exactly the same smile when I first gave him the mug. He said, You know son, you know when you were born your mum and I were still young, so we didnt know really how to raise you up. There was sure a lot of trail and error involved, and you still remember I am sure. I just smiled back at him, waiting for him to continue. But, when I saw you got up that stage, received your degree, and that smile on your faceI can never forget that moment. It was at that exact moment that I realized you are my own son, and that raising you up was the best job and responsibility I ever had. Unknowingly, tears started coming down my cheeks, and the room just stayed silent as me and dad just look at each other with big smiles on our faces.
My father ultimately loss the battle with cancer a fortnight later but he won the war. The stars dimmed just a little and the world spun just a little slower the day he sailed away on that golden winged ship. A part of me died that day but I know that a part of him still lives in me. I have kept the mug safely in the closet where he kept it safely out of harms way, it makes me sad and happy to look at it now like bittersweet chocolate. Dad may have been proud of me as a son, but I am even prouder to have had such a father as him.
