On a late Thursday night - July 19th 2012 - my dad picks me up from the Skopje airport as usual. This time it was the wedding of a good friend of mine that brought the occasion to see also my family over an extended weekend. Only six weeks ago, we celebrated a huge festival with all the family for my own wedding marathon which was celebrated over 3 cities and countries. So we saw each other a lot, but I didn't know that this was the last trip I would see and hug my Dad - Konstantin "Kočo" Misovski.
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As he picked me up from the airport, he looked great and in good spirit as always, but was worried about my mom who is going through rough times with a herniated disc. The household of three men in my close family was always run by my mother ever since I know, and this is a story on its own. However, this time she physically could not move due to her back and leg problem. And I saw my dad in a completely different role as my mom had to give up the command-and-control of the household. I was so proud of seeing him run all the house tasks and also take care of my mom.
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Even he took care of me that weekend, so I can get ready and look good at my friends wedding. He always made sure to look good as a gentleman when he dressed and wanted his sons to also have this trait. Small things like he shined my shoes that never get to see any shoeshine unless I come home. He was so full of purpose and energy that weekend. One of his last facebook comments were on a picture of the buddy of mine that got married and myself saying: "Two happy friends entered the waters of marriage - wishing you a happy and eternal marriage!"
On Monday morning following the wedding weekend, my wife and I had the appointment in Frankfurt at the gynecologist for the regular baby ultrasound check. This time we were going to find out if it's a girl or boy. The lady doctor concluded very fast from the images that it will be a boy! My wife knew it (a women's intuition), and I was extremely happy. The first thing I wanted to do is share the great news with my family. I knew that this will make their day. They were so happy about the upcoming baby boy. My dad's words on the phone were: "Let us dance on his wedding when he grows up".
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My dad's hobby and passion was folklore dancing. He grew up with it, like we grow up today with the Internet. He also traveled the world with the folklore, as a way of exchanging cultures among countries back in those days. Kind of like what today we call exchange programs for students. Back then, the "program" was the folklore and it gave my dad the possibility to visit regions like Cyprus, Western and Eastern Europe and me as a kid to hear about these places.
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Even later as a family - he loved it when we could go and travel. I will never forget the trip to West Berlin and Munich / West Germany, where my parents bought my older brother and I a brand new, high-tech computer Atari 520 in the mid 80s. My dad's affinity to travel and to invest in us with technology is the reason why I grew up and studied abroad, work in the high-tech sector, and found my anchor far outside of the place I was born. So we owe him a big thank you for the openness to cultures, travel and technology!
Day later on Tuesday night, we skype together for a good two hours until midnight. He's in great spirit, but my mom is still not doing great with her back while laying mostly in bed. I will never forget the last live image of him on skype in my parent's bedroom as we are ending the call and he's waving good-bye at me and giving me his thumbs up. As if he wanted to tell me: "I'll be alright". At six o'clock in the morning on Wednesday - July 25, 2012 - his heart stops beating and leaves us from this World.
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My dad was 40 years together married with my mother. I've never seen someone so attached to one another. At some moments, they were also like the characters from the "Tom and Jerry" cartoon I used to watch daily as a little guy growing up. Different in characters, but always found their harmony and made sure family always comes first. My dad was a funny, calm and easy-going man, he had a joke for every life situation, he could speak a word or two in every language, he loved good food (especially soup and salads), and he was always the show-maker during any celebration or dinner with friends and family. My local friends and family tell me that they will always remember him with a joke in his pocket and a smile on his and everyone's face.
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My older brother reminded me that when we look back to our childhood, he never once yelled at us or was disappointed by us when growing up. It sounds almost like a legend, but it's so true and we both don't know how is that possible. Not once that we can recall that he fussed at us. Rather he was so proud of us at every step of our life. He always asked us if we feel good or do enough sport, if we talked to each other and help each other as brothers. On that Wednesday morning, my brother called me to tell me the sad news about the loss of our father.
Six months later, it is still a hard fact of life to cope with. The memories of him live forever and I like this humble post to preserve the image and positive energy he gave us all, as time goes on. I would've loved for him to see and hear my new baby-born that also carries his name - Konstantin "Tino" Misovski. But I also know that he is very proud and smiling away at us - wishing us "a happy and eternal parenthood".
Thank you Dad for everything // Fala ti Tato za se!
