Dad.
Hardworking, loving, caring, a man of few words. Your typical Asian father that loves his kids, yet doesn't really talk to them.
Deep down I know he wants to.
I'm always fascinated with listening to my dad's long stories. You see, he was born in the year 1937. When the Japanese invaded, he was only 5. He would often retell the story of how the Japanese bombers flew passed on the Chinese new year, dropping their deadly load upon the civilians of Singapore. I listened with great intent as he talked about how terrible life was back then, when hunger and fear were constant companions. I particularly remember this tag that he wore over his neck as a young boy fleeing the Japanese onslaught, the tag read - "Cantonese, Ng Peng Chiong". It was a mean of identification for others if he would to perish under a Japanese bomb. Accounts of how he would grow and eat tapioca and watery porridge that had no taste. He spoke about bowing down to Japanese soldiers, singing the Japanese national anthem in school, and bowing towards Japan. Now I finally figured out his limited Jap vocab was not acquired in a comfortable classroom.
This made me realized how amazing God is, placing a father over a son who enjoys listening to all his war stories. It made history feel real whenever he spoke of it. I was talking to a real person who's being thru a real war, not some book or some lecturer that's only perhaps a few years older than me.
On his face i could see the years of burden, of trying to provide for the family. He used to be a heavy smoker and drinker, and this led to a heart bypass in 1995. That was the first time i saw my mom cried. That was the first time i saw my backslidden sister praying in the dark of the night. I never really realized how precious my dad was until i became a Christian. God opened my eyes to see all my dad's effort and years of burden - and now it's my turn to repay him.
I don't know how many years my dad is left with, but by the mercy of God, he'll be around to receive the greatest gift that I can ever give to him.
Jesus, Hope of all mankind.
Deep down I know he wants to.
I'm always fascinated with listening to my dad's long stories. You see, he was born in the year 1937. When the Japanese invaded, he was only 5. He would often retell the story of how the Japanese bombers flew passed on the Chinese new year, dropping their deadly load upon the civilians of Singapore. I listened with great intent as he talked about how terrible life was back then, when hunger and fear were constant companions. I particularly remember this tag that he wore over his neck as a young boy fleeing the Japanese onslaught, the tag read - "Cantonese, Ng Peng Chiong". It was a mean of identification for others if he would to perish under a Japanese bomb. Accounts of how he would grow and eat tapioca and watery porridge that had no taste. He spoke about bowing down to Japanese soldiers, singing the Japanese national anthem in school, and bowing towards Japan. Now I finally figured out his limited Jap vocab was not acquired in a comfortable classroom.
This made me realized how amazing God is, placing a father over a son who enjoys listening to all his war stories. It made history feel real whenever he spoke of it. I was talking to a real person who's being thru a real war, not some book or some lecturer that's only perhaps a few years older than me.
On his face i could see the years of burden, of trying to provide for the family. He used to be a heavy smoker and drinker, and this led to a heart bypass in 1995. That was the first time i saw my mom cried. That was the first time i saw my backslidden sister praying in the dark of the night. I never really realized how precious my dad was until i became a Christian. God opened my eyes to see all my dad's effort and years of burden - and now it's my turn to repay him.
I don't know how many years my dad is left with, but by the mercy of God, he'll be around to receive the greatest gift that I can ever give to him.
Jesus, Hope of all mankind.
posted by DoMiniC at 5/28/2006 08:56:00 PM
1 Comments:
Very pretty design! Keep up the good work. Thanks.
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