1. LEARN HOW TO TIE A NECK-TIE

The first time my husband asked me if I could tie his neck-tie, I got tingles all over my body — a thousand prickles of regret. Because I didn’t listen to my dad, I lost an opportunity to impress the love of my life.

Tying a neck-tie is saying to a man, ”I don’t wear this but I’ve learned to do it so I can show you I care.”

2. WORK WHEN SOMEONE IS WORKING

”Do not sit down and watch them. Either you do what they do or learn what they’re doing.”

I have seen my father work beside carpenters, plant crops among farmers and fly planes with pilots. Working with people side by side, I have acquired skills I would never have if I just stood and watched. Yes, I proudly say, I know how to professionally paint walls, manufacture papaya soap and dig a septic tank!

3. ALWAYS VISIT THE SICK

”You have to visit them so you could pray for them and encourage their family.

We live close to a regional hospital and a month wouldn’t pass without my dad visiting the hospital at least 3 times. Our house became a transient home for the sick and the recuperating. Many times I had to give up my room for the ailing visitors, bring food and hot water to the hospital at the middle of the night and wash clothes for the newly born.

My parent’s ministry taught me the value of sacrifice, genuine love for others and the power of prayer.

4. EAT WHATEVER IS IN YOUR PLATE

”This is a sign of respect. Every food in your plate is hard-earned. If you don’t know how it tastes like or you can’t finish it all, why’d you take a lot in the first place?”

That’s what my brother, who has the tendency to fill up his plate to the brim, always gets from my dad.

I used to hate this rule so much, especially that we were regularly invited to have lunch or dinner with foreign missionaries. I had to clean my plate even if the food tasted weird or my throat burned when I swallowed.

This is the reason I have a very diverse taste. I have been trained. I can eat almost anything and can tolerate assorted dishes (just don’t put lemon or citrus in it) and be a very respectful person.

5. LOVE YOUR MOTHER

With this, he wasn’t verbal at all.  But he didn’t have to say it for me to learn it.

Every summer and every time there was an opportunity, my dad would go home, hiking all the way back to the mountains, to visit his mother. My grandma had always been sick  and my dad would always bring her medicine and supplies from the lowland. I remember him stocking up on a particular soft bread when it was time for him to go.

”Your lola loves this bread because she doesn’t need to chew it.”

I saw how deeply he cared for her. Every summer until she died, papa would bring us kids to see our grandma and spend time with her.

To my mother I wish to show the same love.