TRIBUTE TO MY DAD

It’s been more than 15 years since my dad has gone home to be with the Lord. Today I want to pay a tribute to this great man. For the past one week my memories of my dad came back to me. My wonderful memories of my dad were not when I was growing up but when I was in my late teens. The earlier part of my life I did not have much time with my dad, in fact, I didn’t know him because he was working all the time and was seldom home.

Today, I am not going to rehearse about those days but the part of my life when I saw an entirely different dad. The first wonderful memory that I had of him was when I was taking care of him during his kidney operation in University Hospital, KL. It was those times, at his bedside that he told me stories about his life. That was, incidentally, the most my dad converse with me since I don’t know when! In between those stories you could almost felt that he was very proud of us. He was a man of few words; quiet but talented (he sing, he paint, and he’s a good photographer), hardworking, a man of principle and non confrontational. Though he’s not expressive like hugs and words of endearment but in his own way his life was a life of much sacrifice for his family.

At the hospital I asked him whether he’s in pain and he said that if he could endured the torture in prison during the Japanese Occupation this pain was nothing in comparison. He said that to my other siblings too. He’s indeed a tough man.

My father was also a very generous, friendly, and hospitable man. Many of his long times friends spend a significant time in our photo shop in Malay Street meeting up for chit-chat and friendly games of cards. But I think he was loyal in his friendship.

But the best of all memories that I have of my dad is his love for my children as well as all his other grandchildren. I remember him climbing four stories up to my flat many of the afternoons and placed a packet of Sugar Cane water on my grill door. He hardly called my wife. He just placed the drinks there for us. Like I say, he’s not very expressive but this little act of him speaks louder than words could ever express of his love. I know he loves us. I know he loves my children. Little things like this may not mean much to some people but it means a lot to me and my family.

Once a week we took him to supermarket and he would be carrying Joyce the entire time. Many times we asked him to let her walk by herself and he would insist on carry her – at least for half-hour or more. Asked all my brothers and sisters and they would tell you that he loves his grand-daughters to the socks (I’m quite sure he does loves his grandsons, just that he shows it more to the grand-daughters!)  My father was a loving man. I know he was at times hard and bitter when I was growing up but since his first operation he became different; in fact, he quit smoking and drinking, and came to church regularly. He was a changed man. I knew it and I saw it. All this happened not too long before my marriage. That’s more than 28 years ago. I really do have tremendous memory of him.

Let me relate one last recount of my father. I believe with all my heart that he is not only loving but very, very proud of his family (children and grandchildren). I believe that one of the reasons my family (my brothers and sisters) are close-knitted up till today and also very blessed is because my father was a faithful man – he was faithful to his wife, faithful to his own siblings, and faithful to the Lord. Every Chinese New Year reunion my entire family will meet at my elder brother’s home. The most touching part of the evening was the gathering of the family to pray before we feast. My father would pray before we begin. Every time he prayed he would be in tears – not tears of sadness – but tears of gratitude for the blessings of the Lord upon the family. It was faith building. It was heart-warming to feel the love of God for the family and the man of the house truly was appreciative of the blessings of the Lord. I am proud of my dad. My father was a BLESSED man. We have carried this tradition till today – grand children gotten married and now a latest addition – the first great granddaughter for my dad and a grand niece added to the Lim family!

DAD, I LOVE YOU DEARLY!