Father's Day Special

KDU students took some time out to reflect about the big man in their lives - their fathers, also addressed as "Dad", "Bapa", "Ayah", "Ah Pa" etc in various languages and local dialects. To many, Dad does not communicate as much as mom. However, Dad is the one whose big hands will do repairs in the house, fork out your pocket money, take you trekking or fishing. Remembering how the fathers in their lives have been their role models in character-building, some KDUvers have penned a few words for Father's Day Special. This is one of the dedications to Dad...

Happy Father’s Day, Dad

By: Azfar Hadi

Student, American Degree Program

Usually, on Father's Day, sons would get their dads the same thing: ties, socks or another tool. Has anyone of us ever taken the time to thank our dads for the wisdom and life lessons that they have passed on to us?

I was taught many of life’s lessons from dad’s simple but logical rationale. I remember as far back as 10 years ago when I was 8 years old, I learned my first lesson. I was told off by my mom for not lifting the toilet seat after use. What I remember was that after my mom's long and nagging “lecture”, my dad offered a brilliant rebuttal to this issue. He said "It's easier to put the seat down than lift it up; you have gravity working with you." So now, whenever I made the same mistake again, I just quoted my dad and it has proven to be quite effective ; since that day, I was never nagged on this issue again.

When I was 8 years old - I'm standing in front of my dad

For years, my impression of my dad was an odd man with a weird sense of humor. One Sunday, I was entertaining some doubts about achieving my dream and I was already planning on surrendering it. Somehow, he seemed to have noticed my perplexity. He just came over to me and in a soft voice said, “No one should negotiate their dreams. Dreams must be free to flee and fly high. No government and no legislature has a right to limit your dreams. You should never agree to surrender your dreams.” I believe he was not used to giving inspirational and encouraging words because right after he gave this advice, he seemed to have an embarrassed look on his face and he walked away quickly. My dad does not show his affections openly; when he does, he does it in his quirky way.

Often, after he has reprimanded me for something I have done, I would be so angry with him, holding a grudge or two against him. It’s not that I don’t love him; it’s just that I have forgotten that I love him. It does not matter what has been said, I would continue to love him as he loves me. Hopefully, one of these days, I’ll be able to repay him for all that he has done for me. Perhaps, it can start now, with this: “Dad, Happy Father’s Day and I love you for all your good, bad and quirky ways. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.”