This week’s theme/prompt is:
TAILS – Share a Summertime memory
Summer of 1995.
It was the summer before I entered college. Few weeks before I turned 16. Papa and Mommy are both sick. Seems like our house is a hospital with a big oxygen tank on the bedside of Papa. He is suffering from emphysema and my mother on the other hand have been bedridden for months because of cancer.
On the morning of April 14, Good Friday, just right in front of me, I saw my father took three long breaths. And afterwards his head fell down from the shoulders of my brother. He requested my brother to let him sleep on his shoulders because he was not able to sleep the night before. Those three long breaths were my Papa’s last. I was shocked. We were all shocked. But somehow we were able to masked our emotions because at that time we were considering my mom’s condition. We have no choice but to move on.
Yet my mommy have different choice. Seeing that her better half left her already, she started to loss her willingness to fight. Eleven days after Papa’s death, Mommy decided to give up her fight and joined my father in heaven. We expected it but still its too painful. But life has to go on. The three of us started living our life to show the world how good our parents are.
We left the comforts of our home in the province and move to the metro. My brother continued working and my sister started looking for work. I, through the social security benefits of both mommy and papa, since I was just a minor, was granted monthly pension. It helps me in my schooling.
That was 13 years ago. It was the saddest summer of my life. But because they have been good parents we were able to live the good life now.
Today, our family has grown. And we were able to celebrate this summer as one complete happy family! Here we are now during hubbys vacation.
Despite of everything, I would stil say life is indeed good.
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Sue said
July 1 2008 @ 9:17 am
You have a beautiful family
Happy HOT day, and I am happy to hear your summer is now a happy one 
Tammy said
July 1 2008 @ 11:52 am
What a very moving post. Thank you for sharing it with us.
smarmoofus said
July 1 2008 @ 11:57 am
Your story is so tragic, and yet your parents must have been so close that your mother joined him so soon after your dad was gone. I don’t know how I could have made it through that time if I had been in your shoes. You are a very strong person. I’m glad things are happy now. You definitely deserve the good times.
Happy Hot!
-smarmoofus
Dawn's Daily Life said
July 1 2008 @ 11:57 am
Very moving indeed! I am so sorry for your loss, but I am happy that you have enjoyed happier summers since.
Kim said
July 1 2008 @ 11:59 am
That is sad, but it is nice to hear that you’re still optimistic and happy with life. Because even though there are hard times, life is good… sometimes beautiful even.
Forgetfulone said
July 1 2008 @ 1:31 pm
My dad passed on a little less than four years ago, unexpectedly. He hadn’t been sick or anything.
These kinds of memories stay with you a while. Thanks for sharing your memory with us. My HoT is posted.
Tina said
July 1 2008 @ 6:36 pm
How sad to hear about your parents. Good to see your ok now. beautuful picture.
My HoTs is up too. Hope youll stop by
Hootin' Anni said
July 1 2008 @ 6:46 pm
Oh my….sad to have lost both parents in one summer. I read a lot of strength tho, in this story too. You survived and went on to fulfill a wonderful way of living. Good for you.
Mine is shared. Stop by if you can. But warning, it’s a bit different than what you’d probably expect for a summer memory.
Skittles said
July 1 2008 @ 8:20 pm
How awful to lose both of your parents so close together. I know the memory is still painful, but I like the way you moved on.
You have a beautiful family.
preethi said
July 1 2008 @ 11:29 pm
That was very moving.. but I like the strength you showed in moving on!!
Beautiful family potrait!!
Summers of my past
storyteller said
July 2 2008 @ 7:01 am
Wow … that WAS some summer! I’m sorry for your losses but happy that you found the strength to find happiness again. Your family is lovely ;–)
Hugs and blessings,
Karen said
July 2 2008 @ 11:19 am
That was very touching. I am so glad your family has remained close.