Dad
Today is Father’s Day celebration. Decided to invite him for a dinner. Initial thoughts were just to eat nearby home. But as we drove out, he decided to go Klang to eat. Agreed with the suggestion, but felt bit sorry cause told bro that eating nearby won’t take too much time, as he has assignment due tomorrow. But yea I was okay to go. And so we went.
Had a good time, food and talking with dad. Bit of background, due to some family circumstances, have been quite distant with dad for a period of time, prolly few years + not really close to dad prior to that too. Distant as in did not have much conversations with him, at most was just on the surface how are you kinda pass by talk only. So it was good that today was able to sit down with him, have a meal and talk a lil.
I figured today that I don’t really know my dad. Come to think of it, have not really heard from him about anything of his past. So today alot of eye opening and alot of filling in the blanks that was not filled. I would say that there are more to it, how can one share bout his/her 50 years life in mere 2 hours or less.
He shared bout his past experiences, how was it like when he started working, how was it like over the first few years. Surprisingly I have not heard any of these ever! You may ask if i’m his son, I question myself too. Not sure why it was not shared before, maybe he thought i was too young before this to pay any attention to all these. Maybe I was. But I guess the important thing is now that I know right? It was a good time of feasting and stories. Found out a bit bout his cousins as well. Topic was brought up probably because we met his cousin in the restaurant.
Much has changed since he started working till now. Changed for the better I suppose. Much that dad has been through as well. Salutes him for all the achievements. He definitely is one strong fighter out there. Started out from merely nothing to where he is now all by his own effort and willingness to learn. It has been an interesting night indeed.
Not sure why I decided to blog this out. I guess on several occasions before, I have thoughts of asking of someone’s past. ie grandma, mom. Would love to hear their stories. Must have been an interesting journey that they have come. Alot of times the thought came a bit too late. One, the passing of my late grandmother 3 weeks ago, she has been quite weak for past few years too. Another grandma which stayed with me since I was born, she has been bedridden for more than 2 years, with minimal response/feedback. These are the moments I would ask myself, what have I been doing? and blame myself that it is a bit too late now. could have done it earlier whatever i wanted to do or ask or bondings, when they are well. sigh. Sorry if have brought your mood down with all the depressing stories.
But i guess the lesson here is:
To not take for granted those that are with you now. Do whatever you want to do with them! Don’t delay and push it for another day coz you don’t know what will come tomorrow!
But being human, and furthermore as a 27 year old growing up adult, we will all be swamped with other priorities the next morning when we wake up. And there are so much more things in life that needs to be handled, and soon you may not even remember this lesson. This is life! I guess these are one of the few moments that you pull yourself back a little and really think of life, to review it, and to make a decision on how you want to proceed next, to continue to do the same? or to make some changes to it? And slowly as you look back, I guess you will realise all the decisions that you have made and how you have become who you are today. There might be moments where you think to yourself where you could have done better. Don’t be too hard on yourself if there has been things that you could have done better before! This is life! You learn, and you grow, and you move on. Chase your dreams! Be the best that you can be! But do stop once in a while and look around, and appreciate the present and the blessings that has been given to you.
Happy Father’s Day, dad.
Thank you.
