Father's day is often so underrated compared to any other occasions. Maybe because men are less likely to remember or celebrate events.
My father, whom I affectionately call Father, is one who does not bother about such events. But sometimes he is a funny guy. Eventhough Father claims that 16th March, which is his birthday is not in the calendar, he will keep reminding us about it that we will always remember. Coincidently, there are three March babies in the family, and his birthdate coincides with my brother-in-law. So despite 16th March not being in the calendar, it has been celebrated with quite vigour.
Anyway, Father is flying to Perth this Saturday to visit my sister in her new city, so he will not be celebrating father's day wth us.
As compared to Mak who is the organiser and the budgeter (you can call Mak - minister for home affairs, finance etc) Father is the lepak King. Well, maybe he is tired, having been the sole breadwinner for 7 of us for the whole of his working life. At the same time, Father has corny humour and jokes that you would probably crinched at instead of laugh and somehow I have a strange feeling that my son is picking up that humour.
One thing about Father is that, eventhough he is strict, he is not very strict. Well, at least I think he gave me opportunities to be independent and do whatever I want. Maybe he knows that I know my limits. Eventhough I am a girl, I've never felt that Father treated me less equally than boys. Father has given me opportunities to travel alone on the aeroplane since I was 15 as far as to London. Maybe he knows that a relative will be waiting for me on the other land. He has also given me opportunities to travel to Perth, Melbourne, Christchurch as well as my Europe tour with close friends, of course on my own account but free airline tickets from him. Father is one of the pioneers with SATS.
When I wanted to resign from my producer job in Singapore because of an offer in Kuala Lumpur, Father was very supportive. Mak was concerned. She was concerned that I already had a good job here and that living in KL alone may not be such a good idea. Father told me that even if it didn't work out in KL, come back and he can still support me my basic needs. I went to KL, worked and came back. Father and mak were always there for me, in times of good and bad.
From another perspective, Father is also a very relaxed person. He would rather chill out on his bed or on mak's tasty snacks than be involved in entanglements with relatives. But I also know that he has a very sensitive soul at times.
My Father does not have a large family. Besides his late parents, he has only one elder sister who has since departed. When his own dad left his mom, she was the only person that he is affectionate with. I remembered visiting my late grandmother's grave (my Father's mom) about two or three years back and Father would talk about his mom affectionately to us with glistening eyes.
When I first got married, he even suggested to me and my husband to find an apartment in the same block so that he says, "we can always come for dinner, and that he can always look out for our kids," also with glistening eyes. We were touch by his gesture for us to be close but some decisions had to be made about our own home. Eventhough we were not in the same block, but we were never far from each other's heart.
Father has never insisted that I have to follow tradition but I know he values basic Islamic values that are not peppered with culture. He also value simple things like respect, love, humility and good company. But most importantly, he values his own family - us - a lot.
To Father, have a happy, happy father's day in Perth. May you have good health and a good life ahead of you. May Allah bless your every deed, and though I may not be able to repay you for everything that you have done for me, I am eternally grateful for you are my Father. And do remember, another soon-to-be-cucu is waiting for you here ...
