The day my father died

BPO - Today, I accidentally read this quote in a book: "The three most painful things in life are losing a child in old age, losing a spouse in middle age, and being orphaned at a young age." But Dad, I feel this isn't true, because when someone is orphaned, no matter how old they are, they are still incredibly unhappy. For me, that loss is incomparable, especially when the deceased had a great influence on their child. And you were such a person.

Time flies so fast. In just a few days, it will be three years since Dad left this world , and also 1,095 days since we became "fatherless orphans." Before, whenever I witnessed someone's pain and grief over the loss of a loved one, I thought that no one can escape the cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death. Everyone must leave this world naturally, for one reason or another. But since Dad's passing, I've come to understand this pain more deeply than ever. Even now, I still can't accept it as reality. This loss is too great for me; the pain of losing Mom hadn't even subsided when the shock of losing Dad at the age of 30 brought me crashing down once again.

Every time I hear someone mention the word "orphan," my heart skips a beat, a sharp pain piercing my soul. No matter how old we get, we will always remain little children in our parents' arms, always longing for completeness, for our parents' presence and protection. The day I heard that Dad had this terrible cancer – a disease that was previously incurable – the whole world seemed to collapse. It felt like thousands of knives were stabbing my body; the pain was unbearable, Dad.

Dad taught us everything, but he didn't teach us how to live without him. You know, the day you left us and returned to Mother Earth was a day I can never forget. I was the last one to return to you. Standing by your bedside, I could only silently gaze at the frail, wrinkled face of the man who had once been my unwavering support. Seeing me, tears streamed down your face, and you whispered, trying to speak, but you had no strength left. Your breathing became rapid and then slowly weakened.

I sat there, holding my father's cold, calloused hands, full of prominent veins, and gently stroking my cheek. At that moment, everything in life seemed meaningless. My vision blurred with tears, and a suffocating sense of helplessness overwhelmed me. I called out to him until my voice was hoarse, but he lay still, unresponsive. In my arms, he gently drifted into a long, long sleep, never to awaken again.

My daughter loves her father very much, saddened by his short life and unfortunate fate. He passed away so suddenly, before we could do anything to repay his kindness and the love he gave us. When I was little, I wished he would take me everywhere, to explore new things. As I grew older, I wanted to take him to places he had never been, to eat delicious foods he had never tasted... but he didn't live long enough. That will forever be a source of regret and a void that I can never forget in my life.

Three years have passed. How is your world now, Dad? Are you doing well there? Do you miss me? As for me, I think about you all the time, I miss you, I miss your voice, your appearance, the memories we shared... Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh once said, "In reality, even when our loved ones are gone, they are always with us in a different form." And Dad, I believe that. I feel that there is an invisible thread connecting us, and in my dreams, I often see you. That image is so real, Dad – a dream without distance, allowing me to see your return and talk to you.

Thank you, Dad... for being our father! We feel fortunate to have grown up surrounded by your quiet and profound love. You are an ordinary man, ordinarily great. Mom passed away early, and you never remarried. You took Mom's place in caring for, guiding, and loving us in your own unique way. Your whole life has been filled with hard work and sacrifice, giving us everything we could never have. My sisters and I may not be as well-off as some, but we are always proud that, though not wealthy, we are happy to have such a wonderful father.

Hello, dear viewers! Season 4, themed "Father," officially launches on December 27, 2024, across four media platforms and digital infrastructures of Binh Phuoc Radio and Television and Newspaper (BPTV), promising to bring to the public the wonderful values ​​of sacred and beautiful fatherly love.
Please send your touching stories about fathers to BPTV by writing articles, personal reflections, poems, essays, video clips, songs (with audio recordings), etc., via email to chaonheyeuthuongbptv@gmail.com, Editorial Secretariat, Binh Phuoc Radio and Television and Newspaper Station, 228 Tran Hung Dao Street, Tan Phu Ward, Dong Xoai City, Binh Phuoc Province, phone number: 0271.3870403. The deadline for submissions is August 30, 2025.
High-quality articles will be published and shared widely, with payment for their contributions, and prizes will be awarded upon completion of the project, including one grand prize and ten outstanding prizes.
Let's continue writing the story of fathers with "Hello, My Love" Season 4, so that stories about fathers can spread and touch everyone's hearts!

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/19/171413/ngay-con-mat-bo