The Card

Time really flies faster than expected; I didn’t notice that it’s been nearly three years since I saw that innocent, cutest face the night he came out from her portal. The sound of his first cry bounced to my ears again as everyone in that room was looking at him with a smile–the most significant day of life.

Giving much thought on the trajectory of my life has never been my thing until the faces of my wife and son appeared that very night to become my guiding stars. The first time I rocked my little boy in my arms was a turning point in my life. I have felt how much I’m needed and, for the first time, I learned how to bond and love the deepest way. I have also learned what a complete responsibility for another human being means the day I became a parent. Life became more beautiful with these guiding stars, who gave the clearest direction of where I’m headed, by my side.

On the 19th day of June 2011, I was given a special and surprise celebration for Father’s Day by my better half. Special because I found her efforts to be unwonted. After cleaning my eyes swamped with rheum upon waking up on that beautiful day, she handed me a card. Before I bothered to decode the message written in shorthand, my attention was caught by what she said as she was handing the card: “Because you give me premature ventricular contractions. Happy Father’s Day, Daddy.” I was totally surprised…I’ve gotten really busy that I didn’t actually know it was already the big day for fathers. All I know is that Father’s Day is commemorated in the month of June. I was that glued to the many preparations in the academe because I accepted part-time jobs from two different universities this semester. After the realization, my attention was caught by the colorful veggies festooned on the table of the kitchen inferring a toothsome meal undergoing preparation. Then I immediately got back on what she just said. I told her, “How come you know that line? You were already sleepy when we reached that part last night.” The line, by the way, is from the movie, “No Strings Attached”, we viewed on the eve of the event. With that, I learned how she memorized the catchy line. She also stressed that she was just sleepy, not asleep. The reason why it got me from another standpoint is I thought “premature ventricular contractions” mean something lewd. That explains my guffawing reaction upon hearing it. Then I checked on the piece of work I was holding. I needed to decipher the shorthand writing on it to reveal the message and the transcription gave this: “Happy Father’s Day, Daddy. Love you so much.” The message is brief, concise, gratifying, and heartwarming.

So far, that card is the most beautiful form of art I have ever received. The sweat and creativity, inspired by love, poured into it undoubtedly appealed to my bare bones, visual systems, intelligence and, most of all, my heart– the top reason. Next is, the card was created from recyclables (a cake box and a newspaper) which increased the value of my appreciation when she told me that said card is also a symbol of her support to my efforts on saving the environment. Completing the list is the unseen and unwritten package that came with the card. Let me explain. The card entitled me to a free ****** massage, manicure, pedicure, and a bowl of chopsuey (a specialty)–all from her able hands.

Father’s Day has never been so memorable up to a time I received and perceived what I considered art in its purest form: The Card. Thank you to my wife who indeed makes my heart skip a beat!

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