My Super Dad!

Inspired by Babe's blog on her daddy (which made me tear ) , i wanted to capture some of the very dear memories i have of my dad as well.

My dad, as imperfect as he is, has filled my childhood and life with some of the fondest memories ever and i wanted to write some of them down so i'd never forget and some day, i can look back at this and remind both myself and my kids also, what an awesome father he was.

- when my mum came after me with the cane (coz i was naughty), i would hide behind my daddy's legs, who would try to persuade my mum not to hit me and protect me, but in the process would have his legs caned instead by my mum who would try to still hit me through his legs.

- Each time after i was disciplined by my mum and sulking or crying somewhere below a table (yes, i was really really small then) or behind a curtain, my dad would come by to coax me out , with a toy or some other "bribe" object.

- when i was losing in a board game, (i hated losing! still do, i guess..haha) and started throwing tantrums.. my dad would come over to play on my behalf and help me to win.. (i know, i know, so spoilt huh!)

- i picked up some "anger" language when i was in kindergarten  (nothing foul, but just angry words), and one day, i was so mad at my dad that i used it on him (he was trying to help me, can't remember full situation, but i got mad still).. and i think he must have been so hurt to hear his own daughter that he was trying to help, scold him :((

- my dad took on an extra night job just so that gary and i could afford tuition on top of the other living expenses. He never made a peep on how finances were tight and never allowed us to have to worry about cost. He gave us everything we needed for the finest education and never allowed us to experience lack.

- i remember i wanted this big pink furry cat from the then Yaohan store and it was quite expensive $39.. (esp in the 1980s) and my mother refused to get it for me. but my daddy persuaded her to let them get it for me. Also, my very first story book was a book on Care Bears (which of course was considerably, expensive) and he persuaded my mum to buy it for me all the same. Not sure if all that was good.. but they sure left a deep mark in my memory.

- the fondness with which my dad would recall how cute i was (key word: was) when i was young and esp how when i knew he was home, i would hide somewhere and yell out to him to find me.

- the hurt in his voice when he would relate how pained he was when he discovered my caretaker wasn't really taking care of me (gave me junk food and sweets to keep me quiet) and which eventually lead me to develop pneumonia when i was 3.

- the fact that he still remembers i had pneumonia when i was 3 and keeps insisting i see the doctor each time i fall sick. every cough or sniffle alerts him!! i have to persuade him that its no big deal sometimes.

- the look of hurt and the tears in his eyes when he told me how bad he felt that i couldn't continue to do my honors in my business degree because of my mum's illness

- how he would always, always, always, offer to pick me up when it was late, no matter where he was/ is he still smses and calls me when its late and im still not home

- when he knew someone was interested in me, out of the blue he turned and told me "you know, daddy is not rushing you to get married, so no need to rush ok..take your time"  haha!!

- gary's job requires alot of logistical transportation and when my dad was blessed in his business, he went ahead to buy gary a car. He told gary that he felt bad to see him lugging around all the various equipment withouth a car and so decided to bless him with one. when gary went to pick up the car with my father, the salesperson asked him if the older guy was his dad. when gary said yes, the salesperson told him that he had been coming to the showroom every week for last half year or so before deciding. For 6 months, my dad had been checking out cars and surveying COE prices just so he could pick a car out for gary.

- his life is an example of diligence, hard work and perseverance, and he remains a person i deeply respect and turn to when i want opinions on certain current affairs and policy impacts.

The above does so little justice to my dad.. if anything, i know that he loves and adores me so much. i know that he would give up his life for his children and i know that in all things, he has always placed us first. Sometimes when i think back on how i've been rude to him in the past, raised my voice and said hurtful things to him, remorse fills me. but at the same time, i also know that he has never held any of those things against me and he continues to love and give of his best. My dad may not be very expressive and though he may not say the words 'i love you'.. his actions have spoken and ingrained those words deep into my soul. without a shadow of a doubt, i know i am loved and for that i am deeply grateful to my daddy.

I love you, daddy and i don't know what i can do for you. But i will do my best honor God and you in all I do. Happy Father's Day! I am so proud to have you as my daddy and you are the best dad i could ever have asked for!!