MY FATHER AND I
Before I go any further, I’d like to state, without hope or agenda that I love my father. Love him dearly. Thus, if at any point in time in this article that I may lead or mislead my readers to believe that I disrespect or show a lack of affection for my father, please forgive me.
My Papa, he is an old man, over 60 years young. That may not sound old knowing that we have many cases in which men and women have lived to a hundred. However, it is my belief that when a person retires, he or she is, without a doubt, old. Why do you think we have the phrase, ‘when I am old and retired’. But before that, a few things to take note.
A few years ago, on my birthday, Papa suffered a mild stroke. If that is unfortunate, you may think, wait until I get to the end of this segment. So given the situation, he was sent to the hospital by my other siblings, was diagnosed and then a few hours later discharged.
Fine.
That very same night, he had another attack. Although it was not as serious as the first one, it was a life threatening one, given that any second stroke is as dangerous if not more. I believe our esteemed Singaporeans can vouch for that.
As a result, he suffered an almost debilitating paralysis of the right side of his body. To see this once powerful man crumble into a Mr Magoo is not a pretty sight. Consequently, a further ten years was added to his otherwise, relatively young age.
As a result of that too, many of his idiosyncrasies keeps surfacing. For example when I just got back a few weeks ago after a long sabbatical in Perth, I had trouble adjusting the weather and pollution. (Perth is relatively outback) I began to develop a chronic runny nose. As far as I am concerned I have never had sinus. On top of that, the World Cup was on. I am aware that I need to take care of my body too. However, my Papa, seeing that I have been using too much tissue paper, said this;
‘Jangan pakai tissue paper, kadang-kadang banyak habuk…’
Which means;
‘Don’t use the tissue paper, there might a lot of dust on it’.
Upon hearing those words of wisdom my head scrolled out a few options not unlike and ‘A’ Level Economics Multiple Choice Questions that I took years ago in response to his wise words.
a) You kidding right?
b) What kind of logic is that?
c) I don’t think any health expert in Singapore agrees with you.
d) All of the above (but must be said in a breath)
e) None of the above (but with a glare and mince)
I chose option e) smiled to my mother who gave me a less wiser option but an equally effective one by handing me some cold relief tablets.
But seriously, what can I say to that.
My old man, wise old man.
My Papa, he is an old man, over 60 years young. That may not sound old knowing that we have many cases in which men and women have lived to a hundred. However, it is my belief that when a person retires, he or she is, without a doubt, old. Why do you think we have the phrase, ‘when I am old and retired’. But before that, a few things to take note.
A few years ago, on my birthday, Papa suffered a mild stroke. If that is unfortunate, you may think, wait until I get to the end of this segment. So given the situation, he was sent to the hospital by my other siblings, was diagnosed and then a few hours later discharged.
Fine.
That very same night, he had another attack. Although it was not as serious as the first one, it was a life threatening one, given that any second stroke is as dangerous if not more. I believe our esteemed Singaporeans can vouch for that.
As a result, he suffered an almost debilitating paralysis of the right side of his body. To see this once powerful man crumble into a Mr Magoo is not a pretty sight. Consequently, a further ten years was added to his otherwise, relatively young age.
As a result of that too, many of his idiosyncrasies keeps surfacing. For example when I just got back a few weeks ago after a long sabbatical in Perth, I had trouble adjusting the weather and pollution. (Perth is relatively outback) I began to develop a chronic runny nose. As far as I am concerned I have never had sinus. On top of that, the World Cup was on. I am aware that I need to take care of my body too. However, my Papa, seeing that I have been using too much tissue paper, said this;
‘Jangan pakai tissue paper, kadang-kadang banyak habuk…’
Which means;
‘Don’t use the tissue paper, there might a lot of dust on it’.
Upon hearing those words of wisdom my head scrolled out a few options not unlike and ‘A’ Level Economics Multiple Choice Questions that I took years ago in response to his wise words.
a) You kidding right?
b) What kind of logic is that?
c) I don’t think any health expert in Singapore agrees with you.
d) All of the above (but must be said in a breath)
e) None of the above (but with a glare and mince)
I chose option e) smiled to my mother who gave me a less wiser option but an equally effective one by handing me some cold relief tablets.
But seriously, what can I say to that.
My old man, wise old man.
Finger Acrobatics Performed
On Thursday, August 10, 2006 at 4:03 pm.
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