I can still picture my poor father as the effect of cancer slowly worked its way through his body. My dad, once an excellent physical specimen of health was now being slowly eaten away by the disease, he always believed that his body was a temple and thus took good care of it. Such a cruel jest of the gods to play on such a noble character.  Half a year ago to this day father was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He took it all in his stride like a martyr urging us to stay together and be strong, I marveled at his spiritual strength as the rest of our feelings were torn to shreds by the news, I vowed to try to be as strong as 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.

As we began to come to grips with the reality of fathers situation, we gradually settled into making his ward our home. One day the monotony of hospital television was broken by a hoarse whisper Son.. my dads lips ached as he spoke and motioned me to move closer. Help your old man look for the photo mugs you gave me... do you remember it? Go home and bring it here. My mind went blank for a second then a myriad of memories came flashing back. How could I have forgotten about the mug, the white china mug carrying our portrait on it with the simple words thanks dad that carried a far deeper meaning than those two simple words.

It was right after the end of my graduation ceremony for my undergraduate degree. We were standing around talking when mum said dad and I should take one picture together since me and mum took one earlier. So we stood together, with the awkward smiles and tried to look as natural as we can. Its seldom that we took photographs together even during family trips or holidays because it was either me or dad taking those photographs so we didnt really took photographs together until now. Till now mum still tease us saying how weird our expressions were that day. But, I can see that dad was really happy for me for finishing my studies, and I felt glad that dad finally has something to be proud of because of me.  Few days later I was walking in our local mall when I saw this booth offering to print pictures on mugs and key chains and all sorts of other stuffs such as personalized baptism photo mugs and so on. I think it was a spur of the moment when I thought of getting one of those photo mugs for dad would be cool, so I got one done with the graduation picture printed on it.

As I arrived home that night, dad was watching his usual television programs. I simply walked up to him and handed him the mug saying abruptly it was a present for him, with a somewhat bewildered look on his face he accepted my gift and muttered some thanks. I though he would simply put it away, but later that night I spotted him smiling bemusedly to himself as he looked at the picture on the mug. I knew then that he was happy with his personalized photo mug gift, the first gift that I had truly given to him as a son to a father.

As I passed him the family reunion coffee mug gift for the second time; I was touched by the reversal of situations. When I first handed him the mug it was all sunshine and laughter of our own home and here we were again this time in the gloomy sanitized hospital ward with the smell of disinfectant permeating our pores instead of the smell of mother cooking a hot meal. My dad looked up and said simply Son. You were gods greatest gift to me and I can say that Im mighty proud that you will carry on my name. Nothing compares to the moment when a father realizes that his job is done and he has completed his role. That moment is here on this mug you gave me. He smiled and I nodded and smiled back as warm tears welled up and washed down my cheeks. My dad was saying farewell and that everything would be fine even when he was gone. My heart ached as I felt like screaming No dad! Dont even think of going on we still need you here I wouldnt know what to do without you. Instead I just smiled and wept.

Two weeks later, dad passed away. During the funeral, I was holding the mug the whole time. Back home after the funeral, I placed the mug on its original place, knowing in mind that in dads mind, he was proud of me being his son.