I have never really talk about my dad. I attribute it to perhaps my inability to accept closure on the subject of his death, as I have never really told him how thankful I was to all his silent contribution. Even in my early working years, having graduated with a degree (and suppose to be matured) I did even make any attempt to give the ole man a simple utterence of thank you.
His character is one that works and plod on making an earning tirelessly without ever seeking recognition nor wealth to send us to school as my mother does not work and he is the sole bread winner. He also has this obsession with work and research that some of this attribute seems to rub off and infected some of us. Being a Veterinarian, and a researcher, his fellow workers use to joke that he has more degrees then a thermometer.
Not only did he developed the Veterinary Department to a certain stature, he also contributed greatly to the Veterinary Research Institute (Ipoh) in the development of new vaccines. After retiring from the Vet. Department, he then took office to teach and assist in nurturing many new Veterinarians at UPM. My only regret is that the country never did bestow any honour for all his contributions, chosing to reward other lesser minions. I only realize how many people heart he must have touched and how many students he must have taught,when we were overwhelmed with hundreds of graduate veterinarian that turned up during his passing.
Only recently was I made aware that a Japanese Researcher in recognizing my dad's effort has named a fly in my fathers name.
Thinking back, I begin to appreciate his nudges and silent contribution and arrangement that proded me to be independent and self sufficient in many areas. In my early years of school, he would at that time would invest in two sets of Encyclopedia (Britanica and the Book of Knowledge). Remembering that this was pre Internet years, and I had been instilled the spirit of learning as early as 7 years old. By 11 years old, I was accoladed the nickname "KnowAll" much to my dismay though.
For all his effort, I would like to record my thanks to a great DAD. I miss U.
His character is one that works and plod on making an earning tirelessly without ever seeking recognition nor wealth to send us to school as my mother does not work and he is the sole bread winner. He also has this obsession with work and research that some of this attribute seems to rub off and infected some of us. Being a Veterinarian, and a researcher, his fellow workers use to joke that he has more degrees then a thermometer.
Not only did he developed the Veterinary Department to a certain stature, he also contributed greatly to the Veterinary Research Institute (Ipoh) in the development of new vaccines. After retiring from the Vet. Department, he then took office to teach and assist in nurturing many new Veterinarians at UPM. My only regret is that the country never did bestow any honour for all his contributions, chosing to reward other lesser minions. I only realize how many people heart he must have touched and how many students he must have taught,when we were overwhelmed with hundreds of graduate veterinarian that turned up during his passing.
Only recently was I made aware that a Japanese Researcher in recognizing my dad's effort has named a fly in my fathers name.
Thinking back, I begin to appreciate his nudges and silent contribution and arrangement that proded me to be independent and self sufficient in many areas. In my early years of school, he would at that time would invest in two sets of Encyclopedia (Britanica and the Book of Knowledge). Remembering that this was pre Internet years, and I had been instilled the spirit of learning as early as 7 years old. By 11 years old, I was accoladed the nickname "KnowAll" much to my dismay though.
For all his effort, I would like to record my thanks to a great DAD. I miss U.
6 comments:
i'm sure your dad knew how much you appreciated him. dad's are such rocks, aren't they. your dad sure sounds like he was one.
Thank you Sze for those soothing and thoughtful words, but sometimes u know that and feel that you have disappointed and had shortfall his expectation. Do U not think that I should have use the 20 years of time to make up for it and to inform him.?
DAD always great who they are....
they are great if they talk ...or they keep silent....they just great that u cant compare
it IS nice to say thanks now and again, but i think your actions speak for themselves i.e. when you spent time with him and the things you did for him, whether it was an explicit thank you or not. personally i think that's preferable to 10 i love yous a day.
tears welled my eyes reading this article... it's about time u talked about this... u have kept silent about his passing that left us all bewildered... it's natural to feel that we have not thanked him enough when he was alive... i personally dont think any amount of 'thank you's to our parents suffice... anyway, u have done more after his demise that I believe that god almighty will 'convey' your thoughts to your father...
Sometimes, actions do speak louder than words.
Think not of what you COULD have done more, but realise the fact that you've ALREADY done so much more than anyone else could have.
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