Quaintly True

Y i K a i

For Being

Sunday, June 19, 2011 ( 1:45 PM )

For being my favourite Dad.

Recently, I had an interesting (but light-hearted, no worries) argument with my Papa about addressing each other. He complaint that I do not call him 'pa' whenever I reach home or he reaches home, which is absolutely true that I do not adopt this habit as I think it (very) silly. He's not fuming la, but I suppose he just prefers that warm, childish welcome after a tough day's work. Haha. And my point of rebuttal is that - I really don't have to call 'pa' to address him or as a sign of I know you are there, ahoy there! and that on the other end, children of other families who do "pa, I'm home (tada!)" doesn't mean they truly practised so called Respect. Saying doesn't always means meaning.

Today is Father's Day. And this post is dedicated to him. He's not the world's greatest Dad, but he's my favourite Dad - which practically makes things much more significant and sensible. I will never want the world's greatest Dad; I just want my favourite Dad.

Well, yes you are right - it's not as if I have a whole collection of Dads to choose from. But only because I don't need that to own a collection to know that I have already gotten my favourite papa.

Thank you, pa.
For being a loving father.

I always, always say your greatest trait of being a father, a son and a husband is knowing how to Respect. Yes, I'll illustrate this again. I'm very grateful you always allowed me to take the path I want; and so unfortunately these paths often fall under deeds you'd disagree to. In primary schools - several occassions ranging from the times I insisted on singing for the Mooncake Festival to taking part in the National Drama Competition - all against your disagreement. You looked all unsupported for the drama competition during primary 6 year and did not come to watch. But you came to fetch me home that night. We grabbed the champion! And don't lie. You are proud of me, haha! Not forgetting, the biggest 'threshold' you have ever overcame is probably me coming to DADP - a totally 没前途 diploma course. Pressured by family and practically just anyone around us, you handed me the ticket to a polytechnic and gave up your chance to boast having a VJC son. Still, we really didn't give so much of a damn to what others have to say. Yet it is the choice you made

against your own will

that struck me most. It's really unfair for you, I know. I'm sorry for being unfair, but I'm not sorry for making that choice. Apologies again, but I can tell you this is just the beginning. These things, these dilemmas, these crossroads will be back and back for more cycles of wounding and healing. Hmm, I can already count the issues we're going to talk about next (shh, secret). And I'm only 19 at this stage!

But this is not about me, back to you. It never crossed my mind to regret finding myself in this family of four. Unlike what you mention too often, no, I don't find the low income you bring a hindrance. I don't hate you for that. So stop being sorry about it, for I don't need bells and whistles. I will only thank you for giving me this small family whom I love and whom I trust. Who is more than enough for me. Thank you

For being my favourite Dad.

To mine, and to yours: Happy Father's Day!

End; Man, my first word as a baby wasn't 'papa'.