Fathers would normally want to be just outside the delivery room eagerly waiting for their new born baby to come out. Then by instinct, he would accompany the nurses to the nursery, making sure that during that first encounter and short glimpse of his newly born baby, he would try to remember as much angelic features possible to ensure that the baby would be tagged correctly and won’t get lost in the crowded nursery of angels. That’s the generally common scenario but it was not the story on the night you were born.
As I have told you over and over again in one of those daughter and father story time, I had consumed my paternity leave days prior to your birth. Me and your mother must have been equally excited to see you that during that week I was on leave to welcome you to the family, you didn’t come, just yet. It was after I went back to work that I got news of how beautiful you were on that night your mother and aunties heard you cry. I must have scheduled my leaves to early and too late to take it back. Whatever it was, the truth of the matter is I waited eagerly more than any father would do and my spirit was just outside the delivery room so close to you.
I may not be physically present on the night you were born but I clearly remember that you were born on a Monday night. I remembered it because I left Naga on a Sunday evening to report back to work the following day. While at the office that day, your auntie texted me that your mother was about to gave birth to you so I spent the last few hours at the office thinking and praying that both of you be just fine. Before midnight I got the news that you were born so your Aunt Ruth spent the next hours describing your features to me thru text messages and I would paint pictures of you based on her descriptions in my mind.
Just like your brother and sister, we never really had the chance to see each other every day but I knew that you knew somewhere under the stars at night, there is a father not so far away missing half of his life having not to spend more time with you. The digital photos taken from the old sliding Nokia phone were the significant reminder of the bond that we and your ate and kuya share. Your first three (3) tender years were highlighted by your birthday get together and I have personally blocked the 23rds of November each year just to be with you. Just like your ate and kuya, you hold a special place in our hearts and you reminded me of hope, of faith and of God’s plan for us.
Today reminded me of the time (day) you were born. Ironically, now that I am just an hour-drive away from you, I got home tonight too late to catch you awake. For the second time, I wasn’t there to celebrate this wonderful day of our lives. You must have been too tired for the mini school party or simply got tired waiting for me, but just the same, while doing the last part of our planning session today, my spirit is home celebrating today with you. You are the “Princess” in the family and I fervently wish that you remain true to the meaning of that word in the years to come. In doing so, you are making the rest of us in the family Prince, Princes, Queen’s and King’s at our own right.
We love you Princess Maria Theressa!
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