Downcast Dad

"Why so downcast, O my soul? Put your hope in God" (Psalms)

Everyone was asked to share what has been disturbing our hearts lately or even for a long time. Some shared about health problems disturbing them, while others regarding relationships. My Dad captured all our attention when he added with a little hesitation about his unresolved bitterness with his mom. It was a surprise that he disclosed everything. I realized now where his short-temperedness towards his mom was coming from. His feelings of rejection and the absence of a motherly love caused his heart to be bitter & unforgiving. At a very young age, my Dad was separated from his mom and grew up with his relatives. His elder sister and younger brother were reared by their mother and was given all the perks a regular child should have. He worked his way to finish his studies. He even worked in a construction sales outlet carrying cement sacks & pipes. When he found a stable job, he moved away from his family in Bulacan and eventually stayed in Manila. He married my mom, had children and slowly climbed up the corporate ladder. His siblings still under the care of their mother. Years passed and the tide turned against his siblings. His brother went bankrupt and lost his job. His sister likewise is widowed and depends on the pension from their mother. My cousins suffered also to the point that they borrow money from us, especially from our dad. My dad gave without question and never expected anything in return. However, his heart still feels hurt and lonely whenever he thinks of his mom. He doesn't know how to love her and even where to start loving her. My grandmother never gave an explanation to him why such happened in the past. Now, my dad is asking for a resolution to that issue. He never can explain why tears fall whenever he sees his mom cry and why he burns in anger when he sees his mom hurt. I guess my dad is waiting for my grandmother to apologize for what she did. After all these were said, my dad burst into tears. I admire him for that. It was like an awakening for all of us that he going through that hearache for such a long time. I hope that soon they would resolve this issue.