Dad's Birthday

26th April, 2009 - This evening, we celebrated dad's 69th birthday ... simple steamboat at home with family members. It's a first birthday celebration for dad actually, wonder why we never bothered until now. Hmm ... just like our grandparents, we only celebrate their wedding anniversaries! Guess, it's a traditional cultural thingy ^_^

Dad is a quiet person by nature. Everyone who knows him call him "Ah Kong" as in "Grandpa". Education-wise up to primary 6 and started his career by following his dad, ventured out to sea as a fisherman. Been to many 'territories', so to speak. So, in a way, a tough guy ^_^ Remember imagining his life as "Sinbad the Sailor" from the cartoon movies in our then black and white tv! I could not resist reading "Sinbad" adventures! Years at sea made dad a dark-skinned fella, old photos showed him a skinny handsome guy. Oh yes, the way he squatted in those photos, there is no mistaken identity ... ha ha ^_^

So, dad met mom in the same village where they grew up and after a brief 'courtship', they got married when mom was 18 and dad, 22. Soon, after, he became the papa of 4 girls and 2 boys ...

Dad loves to bring the whole family out for all sorts of outings. Many a times, we would all squeeze into his little saloon car with one of us sleeping on the back dashboard! We would go places, as far as Singapore where we have relatives there. Oh yes, not the mention our favourite eat-out nights ... steamed cockerels and fried la-la ... yummy!!

Well, I have great respect for this man who, despite his poor background, became a successful enterpreneur and taught us many great lessons in life. From a wooden hut, to a rented flat, to a big brick house in KL ... from a bicycle, to a mini, to a Volvo, to a Mercedes ... admirable ^_^ The way he trained his staffs, one by one, they learned the trade and ventured out to become their own boss.

Today, at the age of 69, he still drives out everyday to the shop and kept himself active, still earns his living his own style.

God bless you, Dad. May your days be filled with metta loving kindness, may you be blessed with good health, good fortune and above all, love :-)

Happy birthday, pa !!