I just thought this would be really nice to share to all of you. It really is true. You will definitely shed some tears if you read this one and understand what it is saying.

“The letter, written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles, CWL Spiritual Director of St. Augustine Parish in Baliuag, Bulacan, has been circulating in the Internet. Last Thursday, I heard it being read on dzMM’s afternoon program Showbiz Mismo. Host Cristy Fermin, after saying that the letter was read in an earlier edition of Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez’s Tambalang Failon at Sanchez program on the same station, was so choked with emotion that she asked co-anchor Jobert Sucaldito to read it instead.”

Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensiyahan. Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan o nakatapon ng sabaw sa hapag-kainan, huwag mo sana akong kagagalitan. Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako tuwing sisigawan mo ako. Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi mo, huwag mo naman sana akong sabihan ng bingi, pakiulit na lang ang sinabi mo o pakisulat na lang. Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na talaga ako.Kapag mahina na ang tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong tulungang tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad. Pagpasensyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit at paulit-ulit na parang sirang-plaka. Basta pakinggan mo na lang ako. Huwag mo sana akong pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan. Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa? Kapag gusto mo ng lobo, paulit-ulit mo ‘yung sasabihin, maghapon kang mangungulit hanggang hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo. Pinagtiyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.Pagpasensiyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy-matanda, amoy-lupa. Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo. Mahina na ang katawan ko. Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan, huwag mo sana akong pandirihan. Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? Pinagtiyagaan kitang habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.Pagpasensiyahan mo sana kung madalas, ako’y masungit, dala na marahil ito ng katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan mo rin ako.Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkuwentuhan naman tayo, kahit sandali lang, inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa. Walang kausap. Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo na sabik na sabik na akong makakuwentuhan ka, kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado sa mga kuwento ko. Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa? Pinagtiyagaan kong pakinggan at intindihin ang pautal-utal mong kuwento tungkol sa iyong teddy bear.At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako’y magkasakit at maratay sa banig ng karamdaman, huwag mo sana akong pagsawaang alagaan. Pagpasensiyahan mo na sana kung ako man ay maihi o magdumi sa higaan, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng aking buhay. Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw, hawakan mo sana ang aking kamay at bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang kamatayan.At huwag kang mag-alala, kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na lumikha, ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagapalain ka sana … dahil naging mapagmahal ka sa iyong ama’t ina.

An English Translation: When I am old, I hope you understand me. If ever I break a plate or spill soup on the table because of my poor eyesight, please don’t get mad at me. Old people get hurt easily. I’ll just pity myself whenever you shout at me. When my ears are not working as well as they used to and I won’t understand what you are saying, don’t say that I’m deaf. Just tell what you wanted to say one more time or just write it. Sorry, my child. I guess I am really old. When my legs are not as strong, please help me to stand properly, like when I guided you when you were still learning to walk. Be patient with me. Please don’t laugh at me or get tired of listening to me. Remember, my child when you were young? When you wanted balloons, you would repeatedly say that and you won’t stop until you won’t get it. I was patient with you being so annoying. Please bear with my smell. One who is old would smell like the land. Don’t force me to take a bath. I am now weak. It is easy to get sick when you get cold. Don’t be disgusted by me. Remember when you were young? I would patiently try to run after you when you hid under the bed because you did not want to take a bath. Please bear with me getting hot-tempered so easily. Maybe it’s because I’m getting old. When you get old, you’ll understand what I am feeling. When you still have time, let’s have a chat, even just for a few minutes. I am getting bored, being alone the whole afternoon with no one to talk to. I know you are busy with work, but I want you to know that I am so excited to have a chat with you, even though I know you are not interested with my stories. Remember when you were young? I would patiently try to listen and understand you stuttering and trying to talk about your teddy bear. And when the time comes when I am ill and bedridden, please don’t get tired of taking care of me. I apologize if I urinate in bed. Please bear with me on the last days of my life because I won’t be staying for long. And when I pass away, please hold my hand and give the strength to face my death. Don’t you worry. When I face our Lord who created us, I will then tell Him to bless you because you have truly loved your parents.