This is a special post. It’s about my dad. The man, whom has been in my life since I was born, and the man whom has always done so much for me, that I have lost count even before I knew how to count.
Dad, whom I regard as an English specialist has been very critical on my writing when I was a student, and this resulted the action of hiding my essays from him when I transferred to a semi-boarding school in Kuching about 10 years back. It’s not that I didn’t want him to read what I wrote, but I wasn’t too fond of the ‘free essay writing’ tuition I’d get at home either. (I know, I was ungrateful then.) So, as long as my English grades were okay, and I kept my result above average, I could skip the ‘free tuition class’ for quite sometime.
Well, until when I was in Form 5, when I accidentally brought back my English essay home during the holidays. Unexpectedly, my dad picked up the essay and started reading… as he turned to me and said in his ‘stern’ voice, “Is this your essay?” Nervous, I said “Yes“.. as I was already expecting corrections about my grammar, my use of vocabulary and so much more from him.
But then, out popped the word “This is good writing. I didn’t know you could write like this.“, while he placed the essay back on it’s original place and started to move away, smiling. I was stunned, but eventually smiled too because I knew that instant that I had made my dad happy, and that was a huge achievement, by any standards.
Well, Dad’s turning 51 in tomorrow, and I think I’d like to say: “Although you are most probably not reading this… I’d like the whole world to know that you are the best dad that a son can have, and I am very proud to have you as my dad. Happy 51st birthday.“
A beautiful tribute, Cyril. Happy birthday to your dad! Hope he’s going to have balls of fun on his special day. I understand what you mean about English specialist parents. I hid my work from my mum everytime because she’s always on my case about starting sentences with inappropriate words. If my mum reads my blog, comments will be filled with her corrections on my posts! She still ‘mark’ my emails, GAAAH!
[Cyril]
We did!! He brought us to Borneo Highlands (and I thought we should be sponsoring the trip. LOL). So, u also get those ‘moments’ of language corrections..hahaha…
happy birthday to your dad. Sometimes i read his writing in the borneo post.
[Cyril]
=) You do? So, i guess you know him… Oh..Oh..
Happy Birthday to your dad. Luckily, I’m the one marking others’ essays now and not the other way round. 🙂
[Cyril]
So, I guess if you had children, you’d be marking their essay too bro? =P
oooH!! happppppy birthday to uncle!!
[Cyril]
Thank you!! (On his behalf.)
Happy belated 51st birthday to your dad!
[Cyril]
Thank You (on his behalf)
awww sweet.
ur dad’s a teacher as well?
happy birthday to your dad!
[Cyril]
You got that right, and thanks!
Happy Birthday Uncle!