James Ho at Gretchen Ho
IBINAHAGI ng TV host at dating volleyball star na si Gretchen Ho sa madlang pipol ang mga last moments niya kasama ang kanyang yumaong ama.
Sa pamamagitan ng Facebook, nagkuwento si Gretchen kung paano at kailan niya nalaman na hindi na okay ang tatay niyang si James Ho na sumakabilang-buhay sa edad na 65.
Ayon sa TV host-athlete, “I was in Sagada when I found out dad wasn’t doing okay.
“We were waiting for a call from my doctor brother to give us an update about his proposal to his girlfriend in South Africa. 2pm Manila time Monday, he said.
“The family viber video call came in 30 minutes earlier than expected, and what was supposed to be celebratory suddenly turned grim. It was different news Doc Justin Ho delivered. ‘Code! Code (Blue) si Daddy!’ We were all stunned,” pagbabahagi ni Gretchen.
Noong July, 2022, na-diagnose raw ang tatay ni Gretchen ng congestive heart failure at na-stroke pa.
“This was my dad’s second time in the hospital after getting a stroke last July, and now it was cardiac arrest.
“He flatlined and got revived. Dad was diagnosed with congestive heart failure due to a weak heart muscle, which we fear might have been triggered by long Covid.
“I had to shoot my last spiels before leaving Sagada, severely dreading the 8-hour roadtrip headed home. While we were quickly wrapping up, this rainbow appeared on the horizon of the Kiltepan Viewpoint,” lahad ni Gretchen.
“In contrast to the turmoil that was happening inside me, there was so much peace and calm in what I saw, as if giving reassurance that despite what was going to happen in the next days, everything was going to be okay. I struggled to comprehend it,” pagpapatuloy pa ng dalaga.
Nang dumating sa ospital, nadatnan ni Gretchen ang ama na gising, “Thankfully, I arrived in the hospital and found my dad awake. He held my hand, and nodded when I said ‘lalaban tayo.’
“Our eldest too had just come home from Indonesia. Mom and little brother were there the whole time.
“Doctor brother made it back from South Africa the next day, personally giving my father the news that he already got engaged.
“Dad, with smiling eyes, mustered enough strength to give my brother and future sister-in-law a two thumbs up. Lalaban tayo. Dad fought on long and hard enough to see us all,” dagdag pang kuwento ng TV host.
Mensahe naman niya sa lahat ng nagmamahal at patuloy na nagdarasal para sa katahimikan at kapayapaan ng kanyang kaluluwa, pati na rin sa mga nakiramay sa kanilang pamilya.
“I will always be grateful for the chance that we got as a family to spend those last precious moments with my father together. I would not have forgiven myself had it gone otherwise.
“It’s been such a rollercoaster ride the past week, the past months and the past year. I don’t know what to say.
“Grace. There has been an unexpected and tremendous outpouring of love, presence and support for our family. Thank you for giving our hearts a soft landing.
“It will take us a while, but I know dad’s still watching over us, the Lord has got our backs, and we’ll be okay,” mensahe pa ni Gretchen Ho.
Gretchen Ho nagluluksa pa rin sa pagpanaw ng ama: You will live on in us
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