This year, I lost my hero. I lost a man who taught me everything I know about character, morals, medicine and life. Obviously, words can't describe how great of a man he really is, or was whatever. I am not saying this just because you know, he's passed and it was my dad but in my opinion, HE really really really was a great man.
He wasn't a man who stood by the sidelines and went 'Oh, I wish I could do that' or 'Oh, I wish I had done that'. No, instead he was the type of man that really lived life to its fullness, taking on whatever adventures he could, from boating in the largest waves I've ever seen to flying to the highest cloud in the sky. Boating, fishing, flying airplanes (controlled ones and actual aircrafts), catching prawns, fixing cars, gardening, the list could go on.
Looking back, you can't help but smile at all the adventurous and fun activities I got to do with him. I remember the infamous time we went on jet skis in the Sarawak River and FELL IN. All because my dad was having a little too much fun which resulted in us, being flung into the murky waters. Haha that was a good day, albeit frightening as hell, but a fun day nevertheless. Or the time I nearly drowned in the swimming pool in Damai Resort and my dad, who saw me struggling, dove straight in, completely ignoring the fact that his wallet and his phone were in his pocket at the time. (I remember being more terrified about the destroyed phone than the actual drowning lol.) I don't remember much from that incident, but I just remember seeing lots of bubbles and a sense a of weightlessness, then suddenly, I was being pulled back to life, to light. All because of my dad.
Sigh. As a child, you never EVER expect something like this to happen to YOUR family. Sure, the family next door, or the family you see at coffee shops or the family you just met like once, but NEVER your own. This is a surreal feeling. I found this verse a few nights before I returned home and I didn't really understand it completely at the time, but now I do.
It says:
King David said to his son Solomon, "Be confident and determined. Start the work and don't let anything stop you. The Lord God, whom I serve, will be with you. He will not abandon you, but he will stay with you until you finish the work to be done on his Temple." - 1 Chronicles 28:20
I understand it now and it scares me how true this verse is. I've never been an avid Bible reader but for the past few nights before going home, I've actually picked up the Bible a couple of times in search for some understanding. It's truly eerie and amazing at the same time, how one simple verse can sum up so much.
Anyway, for those who could not attend the church service for my dad, I'm going to include some of the major events that occurred like the incredibly moving slideshow my sister, Diana prepared for him and the awesomely written eulogy my sister, Lena spoke during the service.
To the people who attended the service to pay their respects, sent their condolences and flowers, or helped out in any way possible: I would like to sincerely say thank you from the bottom of my heart from me and my family. Though my dad has moved on, I can't help feeling a sense of serenity and bliss around me. Yes, I will continue to miss him and think about him daily, but most importantly, I hope to continue building and strive to do justice to the legacy he left behind.
Here's to a man who has really set the bar up high for me, in regards to men in general. So, yeah, tough luck trying to find a man like my dad out there. lol sighs guess you can always hope eh?
"My father may be known to many of you seated here today as a doctor, a surgeon, work colleague, flying aircraft member, boat club member, sports car enthusiast, food lover, music lover, and the list goes on as he had so many different interests in life, but for me, he was just simply my daddy.
My dad was my hero. Sometimes, as a junior doctor, you find yourself looking for senior doctors that would inspire you and motivate you to do more, learn more, to push your limits. I was fortunate enough to not have to look far because I had someone like that as my dad.
The fact that all my siblings are in the medical profession I think pays homage to how infectious his passion for medicine was. He loved his job and as children, we would listen to him go on and on about things he had learned or done or challenging cases that he had managed to make right. I know he loved working at Normah Medical Specialist Centre and I always remember what great fun and banter he had with staff and colleagues there whenever I visited.
He was a jack of all trades. In a day, his chores could include a variety of things including fiddling with his sports car, fixing a faulty plumbing system, lighting system, air conditioning, carpentry, working on his boat or playing with light aircrafts. There was nothing that he would not get stuck in or try and do. All this, on top of his day job of being a top surgeon.
I can think of so much more to say but at the end of the day, this is what I remember:
A generous man who never thought twice about helping anyone in need or giving medical advice freely.
A kind man who always found time to speak to anyone and never held grudges.
A righteous man who always stood up for what he believed to be fair and he always tried to teach us the importance of this.
A jovial man always full of jokes on demand. Whenever he was around, there would always be laughter.
A protective man, always trying to shield my mum and us from the evils of the world.
A strong willed man who never gave up even when all odds seemed stack against him. Despite all that he went through, he never complained or grumbled. He just grinned and bore it.
A loving husband who always brought my mum with him wherever he went. She was his most precious possession. They were seldom apart.
Most of all, I remember my daddy as someone who loved his children tremendously. He had unwavering support, encouragement and praise for us. He humored us when we were down and beamed with pride when we excelled.
I am grateful to the Pastor and the church members of Faith Methodist Church for all their help, support and prayer. My father was baptized last month and it gave him a lot of comfort knowing that he did not have to fear death.
My hero, my daddy has passed on and he leaves behind myself, Albert, Diana, Sandra and my mother to carry on the family name. We are so proud of him, of all that he was, and all that he would have liked to achieve if times had been different. I am so proud to be my father's daughter.
Daddy, we really miss you and I know nothing can bring you back but I really hope you come and visit us even if in our dreams, to continue to encourage us and support us as you always have. Help us use all the happy memories we have with you to keep us going.
I want to thank all of you for coming today. Your presence is very comforting to us to know that my dad was so well loved. For close friends and relatives who have gone the extra mile to help, you know who you are and thank you.
I will end with a short presentation of pictures, with my dad's favorite song.
This is really it now. Goodbye daddy. We love you."
