God works in mysterious way

On my last blog, I mentioned that the doctor’s  prognosis for my father’s health problem is Parkinson.  Today is the day!  My parents will go back for the result of the MRI.  I did not come with them.

Today is Friday.  My weekly ritual of going to Quiapo church.  I started this since June when our LOB came up with a new APSP.  Ever since, I never missed to come and say a little prayer every Friday in the church most popularly known as “QUIAPO church”.   Quiapo church is officially known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. It is home to the 17th century life-sized image of the Black Nazarene.    People on all walks of life come here to pray to the Black Nazarene.  Many experienced the miraculous healings and answered prayers of the Lord of the Black Nazarene.  I am one of them.

After having our breakfast, my husband and I went to Quiapo.  Unlike any devotee, I do not say the novena, pray the rosary or even hear mass.  I say my own little prayer.  Simple and short.  Sometimes my husband will question why I need to go too far away churches where travel time is longer than my prayer time.  He just can’t understand.

The moment I arrived in the church, I say my little prayer.  I always begin my prayer with a thank you for all His blessings, followed by asking for forgiveness for any wrong doings (which I know I always have). Last is asking for my petition.

I know what I want today, I badly needed it.  My God never failed me.  NEVER!  Asking for something you dearly want is not easy.  You need to surrender something or promised Him something. 

For my father’s health,  I will give anything.  I asked God, “Lord, you never failed me when I needed you most.  Today, I offer you something.  I will give up something that is very hard for me to give up. In return, please make my papa’s MRI result not as worse as the doctor says it will.  Not Parkinson, not Alzheimer, not even cancer or even disease that will take his sanity.”

I know since yesterday, my whole family is already praying for the health of my father.  I do not know if God granted my prayer or my mom’s or my other family members.  One thing I know, God works in mysterious ways.  My father is now free from Parkinson or Alzheimer.  Doctor says that MRI showed nothing that serious but my father will be under observation. 
I thanked God!  He made me realized how important my father is to me.  I will never take my father for granted.

Once I had a father…

Last Wednesday, my mother talked to me regarding the condition of my father.  She was so worried about the changes that are happening to my father. 

My father, who is now 68 yo is experiencing difficulty in walking, talking, and completing simple tasks. My brother in-law suggested we see a neurologist.  The next day, I accompanied my parents to Makati Med.  The hospital recommended 2 neurologists.  We went to see the first doctor. 

Consultation alone is Php 1,500.  Other Neurologists in the hospital charges Php 800 – 1,000.  This doctor must be good, I told myself.  After telling the doctor my father’s complaint and after some diagnosis, the doctor drops THE BOMB.  She said, “I think its PARKINSON.  It’s not full blown but the symptoms are there.  I want to make sure.  I need an MRI to be able to tell you exactly what is happening to your father.”

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) cost Php 9,000 in Makati Med. That is too much for a couple who is retired and doesn’t have much income. Now I know why God helped me to get the top bonus for the month of September. He has a reason.  MRI was immediately scheduled for my father that afternoon.  Results will be given the next day.

My mother is not aware what PARKINSON is and how bad it is.  I do not want to tell her.  

My father is a jolly and active person. He is very industrious. He is our all around man.  He can cook, baby sit, plumber, carpenter, mechanic, and others. At his age, he can still do the grocery, marketing and other stuffs. You won’t see him just sitting around doing nothing. Sometimes, my family is getting annoyed because there are times the he will try to fix something that is not broken just so he has something to fix. That is my father.  I love him in spite of his kakulitan.  

I may not be his favorite daughter but I know he loved me more than he loves himself. I know that because I am his daughter.  To see my father slowly deteriorating because of an unknown sickness makes me cry.  Not now, not yet.  I still haven’t given him what I want him to experience.  A plane ride, a long vacation somewhere.  Shallow as it may seem, that is still my dream.  I have taken my parents for a vacation 2 or 3 days in a beach or resort but most of the times, those trips are short.  I will never be who I am now if it wasn’t for him. He and my mom sacrificed a lot just to raise us the best way they can.  He is not a perfect father but he is THE BEST FATHER and I WILL NEVER TRADE HIM FOR ANY OTHER FATHER.