As I lose my hearing and may not hear you well, please do not make fun of me. It hurts. I can’t help it, I am now old.
As my knees start to buckle, have the patience to support me just as I lovingly did when you were making your baby steps.
As time passes, I tend to continuously repeat myself and say the same things over and over. Please just humor me and just listen. Do not belittle me nor lose your patience. Remember the toys you want me to buy you before? You continuously remind me all day, saying the same things over and over again and not stopping until you get what you want. I lovingly remained patient then. Please be patient with me now, too.
As I get older, I may not be as clean as before and may smell soiled and aged. Please do not insist that I bathe. My body no longer readily resists the changes of temperature and I get sick easily. Do not shun me. Just remember, you use to run away too when it is time to take a bath.
As I start getting cranky, be patient. It is just a result of getting old. When you get old yourself, you will understand.
Pass by and share a conversation with me even for a short while. It is so lonely when you are alone with nobody to talk to. I know you are busy but I would like you to know how I miss the little talks we use to have even of nonsense things. When you were a baby, I patiently and lovingly listened to all your baby whispers.
As I get sicker and get bed-ridden, please do not lose your patience. Keep on taking care of me. As I lay there wet and dirty, do not leave me. Clean me. I will not be here for long. Just be with me as long as possible.
As I lose consciousness, hold my hands and provide me the comfort to face my journey. And do not worry. As I face our Lord, I will whisper to Him to grant you all the blessings. You have been good to me, your dad.
Translated by a father for her daughter.
Written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles in Tagalog
CWL Spiritual Director
St. Augustine Parish
Baliuag, Bulacan
Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensiyahan.
Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan o nakatapon ng sabaw sa hapag kainan, huwag mo sana akong kagagalitan. Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako sa tuwing sinisigawan mo ako.
Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi mo, huwag mo naman sana akong sabihan ng "binge!" paki-ulit nalang ang sinabi mo o pakisulat nalang. Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na talaga ako.
Kapag mahina na ang tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong tulungang tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad.
Pagpasensyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit at paulit-ulit na parang sirang plaka. Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako. Huwag mo sana akong pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan.
Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa? kapag gusto mo ng lobo, paulit-ulit mo 'yong sasabihin, maghapon kang mangungulit hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo. Pinagtyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.
Pagpasensyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy matanda, amoy lupa. Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo. Mahina na ang katawan ko. Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan, huwag mo sana akong pandirihan. Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? pinatyagaan kitang habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.
Pagpasensyahan mo sana kung madalas, ako'y masungit, dala na marahil ito ng katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan mo rin.
Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkwentuhan naman tayo, kahit sandali lang. Inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa. Walang kausap. Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo na sabik na sabik na akong makakwentuhan ka, kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado sa mga kwento ko.
Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa? Pinagtyagaan kong pakinggan at intindihin ang pautal-utal mong kwento tungkol sa iyong teddy bear..
At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkakasakit at maratay sa banig ng karamdaman, huwag mo sana akong pagsawaang alagaan. Pagpasensyahan mo na sana kung ako man ay maihi o madumi sa higaan, pagtyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng aking buhay. Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.
Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw, hawakan mo sana ang aking kamay at bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang kamatayan.
Written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles
CWL Spiritual Director
St. Augustine Parish
Baliuag, Bulacan
Source: http://groups.google.com/group/kor-world/browse_thread/thread/da34e290acb008d0
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