Thoughts of Fathers

This Sunday 20th June 2010, most of the world celebrates Father's Day.

I came across this video that I would like to share.



We've often heard of the phrase Leadership by Example and Like Father Like Son. Then there's the malay proverb Bapa Borek Anak Rintik.

It's true. Children learn a lot more from what the observe of us that what they hear from us.

There's another song I want to share.

Cats in the Cradle
by Harry Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, "I’m gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I’m gonna be like you"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, dad, I don’t know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

My son turned ten just the other day
He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play
can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do" He said "Thats okay"
And then he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said "I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m going to be like him"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, dad, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

Well he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile

"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad,
You know we'll have a good time then.

I’ve long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day........
I said "I'd like to see you if you don’t mind"
He said "I'd love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But It's sure nice talking to you, Dad,
It's been sure nice talking to you........"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me..............

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin home, Son, I dont know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad
We're gonna have a good time then.



Harry Chapin died young, at the age of 38 in a tragic car accident.

I'm thankful for a wonderful father and also a wonderful father-in-law.

Though memories of my younger days are hazy (as if la I'm so old...) I remember one incident very vividly with gratitude. It was during my varsity days in University Malaya when I wanted to drive back home ALONE (!!!) to Penang. My ever-protective father wouldn't let me. He took an overnight bus from Penang to KL and then upon arrival, got into the car for the return journey to Penang. On the way, we had a flat tyre and I was so grateful that I wasn't alone on the highway.

Also during my varsity days, I was grateful for weekend trips to Seremban to get away from KL. Penang was too far to travel every weekend so I would lug dirty clothes and bedsheets to Seremban just so I didn't have to handwash. And Daalin's wonderful parents (that time not yet in-laws) would make sure I was well fed and rested. Delicious home-cooked food was a luxury when you're a student. Tan Father would even take my car out to the petrol station and fill up the tank at his expense. And all this while Daalin was halfway around the world in Leicester.

To my wonderful father and father-in-law, Happy Father's Day!
May God bless you with good health and strength and long life.

And to my wonderful hubby, thank you for being a wonderful dad to our children!

Be a good dad....today!