Deathcab for Daddy

Today's post unfortunately doesn't talk about food. But, it does attempt to explain why this blog has been extremely inactive in the past year. The year 2020 began and already has been dramatic and epic. The year started with my father taking a vacation to his hometown. Before he was scheduled to fly back home, he didn't feel well and was admitted into the intensive care unit of the local hospital in Naga City.  His wife informs me everyday of his status and it was clear to me that I had to drop things at work and fly to him.  I arrive in Naga City. Held my father's hand tightly, not knowing exactly of whether he'll get out of this. He was a 77 year old on dialysis. 

A week passes and so does he on February 8, 2020. Waves of emotions crash within me. He expires in a foreign country. I was just getting to know him, his genuine self. Where does my family stand with regards to legalities. No matter how he is buried, I made the stubborn decision to make sure he was buried at home in Guam.  It was a rough ride. You begin to hear and question family loyalties. You become frustrated with the people who are so-called helping you bury your father. To add to this the COVID-19 pandemic was building steam near me. Will I be able to fly him or even myself home? Will my family members be able to fly to Guam and attend the funeral?  They all reside in different parts of the United States.

Despite the considerations, a month later from the time of his death, my family and I held the funeral. We celebrated his new life on March 10, 2020. It was small, with only people who were close to him. I made an effort to make sure that the post funeral arrangement didn't involve strangers. My family and I were lucky. I think we were among the last groups to be together and have a proper funeral before the Social Isolationism created by COVID-19. 

Having said that, we'll see what lies ahead for the next coming days as we stay in, in an effort to suppress COVID-19's infections. 

Until then, see you next time.

 Rest in peace Plutarco Portugal Avila. Goodbye Papa.