Superman

Look it’s a bird, it’s a plane….no it’s superman

Superman is arguably the most recognizable superhero with the vast super strength, speed, stamina, invulnerability, multiple sensory and vision powers and longevity.

Celebrities such as Bud Collyer, Kirk Alyn, George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Tom Welling and Brandon Roth, who all played superman and Clark Kent in one way or another, became household names in the superman cult.

Every one knows superman, my main intend in this entry is not to introduce such a legend. Let me rephrase my first sentence.

Look it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s superman…..no, it’s my dad

Dear dad,

Happy belated father’s day and I am sorry for the late post as I was too busy either studying or golfing. How are you doing of late, been eating right I suppose.

You have been my superman since I was a small boy. You were perfect in anyway and everyway. No matter how tired you were, you still found the strength to carry me to my room when I fall asleep in the car or on the couch. Though later years you just woke and ask to go into the room to sleep.

When I was 4, I do not know how to count and how to do simple mathematics. You were there ever patiently teaching me how to count 1, 2, 3…… I guess your patient ran dry after an hour, because your son, me, still unable to get it right. Isn’t it funny that a 4 year old boy who do not even know how to count could score a high distinction in the statistics subject 14 years later.

Do you still remember when I was 5 years old at the swimming pool? I was afraid to go into the swimming pool without the arm floats on; even it was just the baby pool, while bro became the ultimate Rambo going into the adult pool with no floats on. That surely scared the shit out of mom. Though you do not know how to swim, but you prove to me that there is nothing to worry entering the pool without the float. When I annoy the crappiest of crap out of you, you encourage me with your words; chicken and scardy cat. Awkward as it may seem, your scardy cat son managed to win medals after medals, recorded the fastest time under age 12 category at state level, chosen by an English man to swim competitively. At that time, I always wished that my superman acknowledges me and to be proud of his son. Your acknowledgment did not come, well I guess, I am not good enough to earn that praise from you.

When I was 12, I refuse to go to Cameron Highlands with the family because I wanted to go for the teakwando black belt examination. With all those scolding and lectures, I still refuse to go. You stayed behind to look after me and also to fetch me for the examination. When that day arrived, I really hope I could pass that examination and bring home the black belt, as prove that your decision to stay behind was worth it. I am sorry dad for failing that examination. You did not mention a word and also you were not angry with me. But deep down inside, I wish you were angry for letting you down and separating you from family holiday. Although I passed the exam the subsequent time, you remain silent. I did not expect much from you as I know that repeating an exam means an individual is just second best; not worthy of praises.

You spent a lot of time with us when you found out that we like to play badminton. You even sent us for coaching when you no longer have the ability to teach us even more. In those years of playing, I mange to win a silver and bronze medal and paraded it in front of you once you got home from work. When I won those medals, I was hoping that you will commend me for the hard work well done but it did not happen. Sadly, you just brushed me aside. I concluded that silver and bronze do not mean anything when you have another son who won gold medals in badminton.

There was once we went bowling and I played fairly bad. You were harsh on me and even publicly scolded me for not listening to you. I was 14 at that time and bowling is an all new ball game for me. After that scolding, I begin to go out with friends very often. You did mention once, why am I going out so often. I told you that it was friends’ parties and stuff, but the truth was I went bowling with them. I want to improve in that game; I want you to acknowledge me in it. Forlornly, you were not there to see me scoring four strikes in a row neither were you there went I scored a personal high of 210 points. Those who acknowledge me were my friends; who subsequently quit bowling because they were unable to win me. I wanted to tell you about it so much, but past experience told me that you will not give me a single word of praise. I chose silent.

Grandmother was the closest person I got in my younger years. She and grandfather gave me those praises and credits for my hard work but all I wanted was you telling me those praises. When grandmother passed away, my friends became my family. I started playing truant and smoking. If not for mom, I would have been a gang member by now. During these teenage years, I hated you, I hated to be at home with you and I hated every single thing you do. You were imperfect, I do not deserve a dad like you, I deserve better.

How wrong was I during my teenage years. Throughout the 1st Aussie adventure, I realize many things. All this while I did things for you to praise me, but now even if you praise me it do not matter because you are my superman; you were there when I need you and I am proud to be your son.

Remember the bad accident I have when I was 17. You did not scold me for ramming a car in the T-junction. All you say to me was, “The car can spoil, damage can be repaired but as long as the person is uninjured, it is all fine.” That was a relief, I was afraid that you will scold the living light out of me.

Last year when I was home for holiday, I told you my results in the morning just when you were about to leave for work and the fact that I was out the entire night. For the first time in my life you actually praise me for my results. You said “Good, keep up the good work.” That was enough to make my day and also the 21 years of darkness of not being good enough to be your son.

On another note, I am sorry dad; I am unable to continue the family business of which was our bread and butter. I have absolutely no knowledge about the business. I do know how to make a dancing shoe or any other activities that are related to it. As an heir apparent, I am a failure eventhough for the past years I tried to learn it. I am unable to be you nor anything close to being you, I am sorry.

I admire you for your hard work and dedication to the business. Like me, back then, you too did not know how to make a pair of shoe and were despised by all the workers. You prove them wrong and gain their respect. You made the business known almost every single corner of Malaysia’s dancing world. You invested all your life in the business. I am a useless son; I do not want the business to be ruined in my hand. I do not want 2 generations of blood and sweat perish in my own two hands and wrong business dealings.

All this while, in regards to the business, people know me because of you. They know me because I am your eldest son, your heir apparent. I do not know where they get the idea from, but surely not from me.

I want the people to know you because of me, for all the things I will do in the future (hopefully) for the greater of country and family. And this is my promise till the day I rest because you are my superman and I will continue your legacy and promote the family name to new heights.

Your Son