Sing Me Your Song Again Daddy

I’d love to  borrow Jose Mari Chan’s words just for this blog.If a mother has that everlasting affinity to her daughter, a father has that special bond  that only he could fulfill.

Sing me a song again, Daddy
Sing me a happy verse.
Teach me those clever lines you sang
As you carried me on your shoulders.
Sing me that hymn that you so loudly
Sang in church with mom.
Sing it again to me and fill me
With all your words of wisdom.

Comforting words of love when I
Would get home from school in tears.
Somehow your songs have stayed within me
Down through all the years.
Once when my younger heart was broken
Your shoulder was there to cry on.
Sing me those songs I know will linger
Long after you have gone.

I am standing at the threshold
Of a chapter in my life
I am asking for your blessing
As I’m about to be the wife
Of a man I know who loves me
And I’m proud to be his bride.
Dad the time has come for me to leave your side.

So, sing me a song again, Daddy.
Sing me a lullaby.
Wrap me inside your arms, Daddy,
‘Though this is not goodbye.
Your songs will live forever
In my heart. When times get rough
The ones I’ll most remember
Are your songs of love.

Our good friend Fr. Aly Barcinal officiated the mass during Nissa’s wedding. We have known him since  Nissa was still in first year high school, when we transferred to our new home back in 1995. He was the one who blessed our house and we have maintained the friendship until now. There was a part of the mass right after the wedding rites in which he asked hubby to say a few words  to Obet, his son-in-law. We didn’t know about it and hubby was not prepared for it. I am glad though  that he was not because what he said was a spontaneous sharing and speech that I know came from the heart. He emphasized two points – the good news and bad news. When he mentioned that, I was looking at Fr. Aly and he was looking back at me smiling. I was wondering what could be the bad news because for me, the wedding itself is good news to all of us.

He said that the good news  was , “I am  very happy that I am  not losing a daughter but gaining a son. Lumaki ang pamilya ko.”  Then he added, “Welcome to the family Obet.”  The bad news was, he won’t be able to see his daughter as often as he wants because she’ll be starting a new life now. I heaved a sigh of relief. Some of the guests applauded. Then Fr. Aly called Obet in front and urged him to say his response. We were all laughing when he said “Thank you Papa, this is the first time I am calling you Papa. And I promise to take care of Nissa.” They said a lot more than these but  I could not exactly remember. I saw some friends shedding copious tears. It was a lovely exchange between father and son.

At the venue at Ibarra’s Garden, one part of the program was the traditional father-daughter dance.  Josh (our musician) and his group played Sing Me A Song Again Daddy. It was so touching, and it made me feel  so nostalgic. I remember the times when she was a little girl, the years when hubby has to go abroad and stay there for sometime because of work and the only communication we had were through letters, voice tapes and occasional phone calls.

We are glad that she has finally found a man to love and to spend the rest of her life with. We were teasing each other yesterday, we told them, we want to have grand kids soon. 🙂

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It’s Six Days Before The Big Day

My heart to you is given:
Oh, do give yours to me;
We’ll lock them up together,
And throw away the key.
~Frederick Saunders

While we were attending mass this morning, Nissa and I could not help but react to the gospel today – the five foolish maidens and the five wise ones.The latter were prepared to meet the bridegroom while the former did not bring enough oil to light their lamps. It is a parable that speaks of being prepared always for any eventualities that come in our life. It somehow reminds me of our own preparation for her wedding this coming Sunday. Although I know that she is a very good organizer and she is in control, I told her to make a list of the things we have to bring to the hotel when we check in the day before her wedding. I suggested that  we go over everything before we leave.  We have to double-check that list one more time. She has transferred responsibility to the event planner/organizer as regards the suppliers and last-minute phone calls that need to be done. Her college buddies are giving her bridal shower today.

I was looking for that perfect card that would go with my planned blog which I would like to share with them on Sunday, a sort of letter for them both. Dinner after the wedding will be accompanied by a short program where both sides of the family will be required to say a few words, sort of  “welcome to the family” speech. Nissa asked me if I could deliver a few lines and I told her I will try.  Some friends are teasing me that definitely, I will cry when she gets married so I told them that I think it is a normal reaction of a mother who after twenty-nine years would finally be separated from a loving daughter who  will be leading a new life with her husband. But I assured them, it would be tears of joy and not anything else. Weddings are happy occasions, I said. We will be gaining a son and I guess, that’s one good reason to celebrate.

I am also excited to meet Josh, the musician whom  a friend recommended. I love listening to soft instrumental music.  And I am excited to listen to the songs chosen by Nissa which they will play in church and at the wedding reception.

And it’s six days to go before the day. Do I sound like a child waiting for Christmas?

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