A Tribute To My Father

What does one want in life?

Is it love and harmony?
Is it money and happiness?
Good children, good relatives and friends?

My dad had all that. He led a good life, and everyone who met him loved him.

All his children adored him.

He was a strong man, and a good teacher. He successfully taught his children “The Art of Living”. He taught us perseverance, an appreciation for life’s beautiful things, the importance of home and family.

I can still remember Daddy’s calligraphy – He once wrote on a large piece of white rice paper - those lovely Chinese characters that were so nice and neat, each looking like a perfect little square. Daddy had aligned these characters vertically, forming straight lines from the top to the bottom of the page.

It is said that you can tell a person’s strength and character by his handwriting, and I find this to be true . Daddy’s calligraphy shows stamina, strength, and honesty.

I asked Daddy one day what the characters that he had written meant.

He said, “It’s about self-discipline in one’s life, my dear.”

“What do these words say, Daddy?”

“It teaches everyone to be kind and caring toward another; to be generous to those who are in need; to be honest; and to be strong for oneself.” Daddy replied again.

That’s the kind of man my Daddy was – honest, kind, caring, and generous, and always willing to help another.

Life is like a roller-coaster. Daddy’s life had its ups and downs; but whenever Daddy was down, he bounced back up very quickly. There was never a moment of despair. I have never heard him complain about life. He was always insightful and strong spirited for his own good. He never gave in easily to bad fortune.

The quality I admire in Daddy the most is that he could so easily be contented in life. He led his life in simplicity. He thought the reason why he was happy all the time was because he has my mother – a loving wife who loves and cares for him very much; all his children being so good to him, and also to have all his warm and loving relatives and friends around him. All these made my Dad a very happy man during his lifetime.

The wonderful journey for my Dad on earth had now come to an end; and a new chapter of a new life is now beginning with God. Daddy has earned his wings, he will be my Guardian Angel from now on.

~ May / Sandie ~
(My Dad called me by my Chinese name "May" when I was little; and called me "Sandie" when I was grown; "Sandie Angel" when I started writing.)

Back to: Front Page