Hi, Dad! It's been a while since we last talked. Almost 3 years to be exact. I miss you. I'm still processing the fact that you are no longer with us. I've been wanting to seek your council for a while now. My heart has been heavy for a while. From your passing, to other things that have been weighing me down.

It's been a year since I was employed as a public school teacher. I know this is something that you have wanted for me for a long time. I made it dad. I hope I made you proud. I'm doing my very best everyday to teach my classes and help shape the future of my students. I know I still have a long way to go. But I've taken the first step and I don't intend to stop anytime soon.

Something happened recently. I don't know if you're going to be proud or disappointed. I took the first step in leaving behind mom's toxic behavior. It has been the biggest struggle I've been having since you passed. I've decided, for my family's and my own sake, I will no longer be a slave to mom's toxicity and her habit of slapping every help she has given us in our faces to manipulate us into doing what she wants. I don't my daughter, your granddaughter to grow up seeing and experiencing that kind of behavior. We, my wife and I, have decided to lay low for the foreseeable future and not make any contact with her and my older brother. After not being able to go visit her for the holidays due to logistical challenges, both of them have shown their true colors and have insulted and belittled me and my family. I just couldn't handle it anymore. I've never felt more hurt and pain in my life.

I miss you, Dad. I wish I could talk to you in person.

I have to get back to work. I'll write again soon. I love you, Dad.

© JE dela Cruz