Until this day, I still cannot imagine seeing my dad in the condition he was. Lying sick in bed, so weak that he needs someone to hold him while he walk, finding it difficult to breathe. In my mind he was always a healthy man, always exercising, controlling his diet and he doesnt smoke or drink so it really gave me a shock seeing him like this. It was just six months ago when the doctor diagnosed dad with stomach cancer. We were all shock but dad, ever the calm person in our family, told us not to panic. He just said that we will fight this together as a family and we will overcome it. All we can do at that time was to nod our head meekly and agree with him.

After grueling months of therapy both oral and radiation my dad was as weak as a baby, then cruel fate descended again and dealt another blow. All the treatments and all the pain were for naught as the news broke that the ravaging cancer had continued its devastating attack to his liver. My mom bless her soul, was too overcome by this news and broke down her body convulsed with sorrow, we all were blank with sadness, all but one person Dad as usual was steadfast, more worried about us than himself. Like a knight facing a dragon to rescue a damsel in distress without a though for his own well being.

We had settled into the droll of hospital life, then one day as I was whistling my time away watching television I heard my fathers weak voice calling. Son I need a favor. Look for the personalized photo mug that you gave me. Remember it? It took me awhile but then the memories came rushing back. I followed dads instructions and went to retrieve the mug from our house. He kept it safely in a closet in his bedroom, as I held it in my hands my mind wandered back to the day we took the photo so boldy emblazoned together with the words Thanks Dad on the front of the mug.

Dad was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve, he showed his affection by actions and not words, toiling to provide us with enough food on the table and a roof over our heads. Rarely did he have time for such triviality as photographs and vacations. If there was any photo taking father would usually be behind the camera thus rarely had we taken photographs together. One of the rare occasions that we did take a father and son picture was during my graduation from university. I can still see the look on dads face, beaming proudly with happiness as his son took his first steps into adulthood. You couldnt wipe the grin of his face that day with a two ton mop. Although we awkwardly wrapped arms around each others shoulders as the photo was taken, I could feel the joy emanating from dad. To dad his role as a father had finally come full circle, I had graduated and was ready to fend for myself with all the wisdom he had imparted to me, ready to carry on the family name. Then a few days later, out of the corner of my eye I spotted a stall specializing in personalized knick knacks such as custom firefighter coffee mugs and so on. What grabbed my attention were the personalized photo mugs, I immediately decided to immortalize our father and son moment in one of them.

I am not what you would call a giving person, I regret that now and have changed somewhat. But I think that only helped to heighten dads joy at receiving my gift. He too was silent for a moment as I broke his daily routine of television watching not knowing what to make at first of the mug that was thrust into his hands. He uttered the words thanks then turned back to his show, it was only later that I noticed him smiling fondly as he fingered it. In the glow of the fading evening light, I realized that he truly appreciated the gift. When the son finally gives instead of receiving then he has begun to be a man. The personalized photo mugs was my first significant gift to dad, I remember thinking, why didnt  I get him a fancy hand phone or a gold chain instead, but now looking back the mug with the two of us in a goofy embrace was more than adequate.

As I passed the personalized reunion mug to dad in the hospital ward a feeling of dj vu overcame me as dad flashed a smile as held the mug, the exact smile he was sporting as I saw him fingering the mug that night so many years ago. Dad looked at me and began to speak Son. Of all the things in life, of all my triumphs, accomplishments and all my awards and trophies. There are only two things that matter, one is that I met your mom and two is that we raised you up to be a fine young man. The day you graduated I knew we had done a good job...Im proud of you soon and always will be. I couldnt stop the tears even if I wanted to so I just stood there like an idiot and smiled and dad smiled back at me. I knew that we were saying goodbye to each other.

A fortnight later my dear father finally breathed his last breath. He had fought a good fight and had dealt with all his earthly problem, no regrets. I brought our special mug to the funeral then I stored it back where dad had always kept it. My mind was at ease, he was in a better place free from all pain and suffering and Im sure he was smiling down on me proudly from somewhere.