INSPIRATIONAL DAD

True story of an inspirational dad

My Dad went to a shining mission school but left with dull grades. He said that in his youth, he preferred life's lessons and the arts rather than academic achievements. That did not prevent him from gaining much wisdom later in life. That did not prevent him from teaching my brother and I to love reading and learning. Dad had quite a temper and much pride. But his imperfection did not prevent him from spreading humour. He worked hard. He was creative and a perfectionist in his business and in whatever he did. Although not the superb business partner to my Mom (she’s the smarter one, he said), Dad made a decent life partner for her. And Mom complemented and supported my Dad beautifully. Dad was not a social activist nor environmentalist. But he taught my brother and I to respect society and love Nature. Dad and Mom imparted life values in us. They believed that what they lacked in academic prowess, they could compensate by working hard to put us through foreign varsities (my parents believed that education comes through academic as well as social and cultural infusion).

Through Dad, I learnt driving skills beyond what my instructor taught me. (I also learnt how to drive in Life – although I still get the occasional bumps). Through Dad and Mom, I learnt to laugh…to appreciate cooking…to love life. Through Dad and Mom, I learn that marriage is never perfect but we must work at it to make it nearly so (after all, my folks survived almost four decades of marital journey and weathered the storms!). Dad also told me earlier in my life that no matter how successful a career woman I grew up to be, I must harmonise and soften my corporate achievements with “womanly” charms and “wifely” duties (Don’t ask me to elaborate. Just follow advice, observe and learn along the way in your real-life driving).

When my twins arrived, Dad doted on them as he did on brother and I – in fact even more so (the “grandparents syndrome”?). My boys just adored him! Dad knows the value of fun and parent-/grandparent-child bonding – something which my esteemed varsity could not have taught me.

As with every beautiful story in life, all things good or bad do come and go. Cancer stole my Dad. He did not make it easy for the dreaded disease though – Dad fought hard! He continued to live life to the full despite his debilitating condition. We saw Dad’s pain but of course, we could not feel it to truly understand his suffering. It’s been more than three years since Dad has passed on. We miss him dearly! I wish that instead of just showing him I care, I should have literally told him that I love him, always! It’s too late now. Dad can’t hear me. He can’t see me, or my twins whom he adored! Silly as it sounds, I sometimes wish Dad could come back. We know that’s impossible!