I love you!!!

In the blink of an eye, we’ve been together for 21 years. You were the first one to talk to me. You were the first one to sing to me. You were the first man to hold my hands. You were the first man to hug me. You were the first man to kiss me. You were the one to carry me every time when I was lazy to walk. You were the one to cook and prepare scrumptious meals when mum was not around. You have always been the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. You’ve always been the best in everything as far as my eyes could see. In these 21 years, I’ve called you with different kinds of names, but all of them simply show my love for you. Daddy, Dad, Dee, Lou Tao, Father, Pig Father (cuz you called me piglet…LOL), et cetera, thanks for everything. You really mean a lot to me!

Four years ago, you almost left all of us to go back to the Lord. I was so scared of you leaving us, that I prayed, and prayed to God that I’m willing to lose and let go of anything or everything just to have you with me us. I spoke to God in desperation, telling Him that I don’t mind getting low grades in exams, I don’t mind being ugly, I don’t mind to be single or lonely, I don’t mind to be ill to take over your place, I don’t mind to cut short my life and die young, I don’t mind this and that, just to have you with us. Before that, I didn’t realize that you were that important to me. When you were sent to the hospital at 2am, I cried non-stop while praying for you to regain consciousness. I could still remember the serious faces of the nurses and doctors who tend to you when you were wheeled into the High Dependency Unit (HDU), and later to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). When you finally regained consciousness, I was so happy that I talked to you like there was no end to it. After being told of what happened, the first few questions you asked were “Why are you here? Did you skip school? Go back and study for your exam! I’m fine here.” I’m so touched that you thought about me even when you’re ill! When you were back at home, recuperating for three months, I didn’t mind taking care of you. I rushed back from school just to check on you, to prepare meals for you. At that time, I was always the first one to exit the school’s main gate, walking and sometimes even running to the bus stop to catch the earliest public bus.

When I was young, you were very strict, making bro and I afraid of you all the time. But, your fierce character has never stopped me from going around, bragging to my schoolmates that I have a cool Dad! During my younger days, I’ve always looked highly upon you even though we were not that close to each other. Nevertheless, we developed a father and daughter bonding when I took care of you four years ago. I’ll never forget those moments when we discussed and sometimes even argued about the right words to use in The Star’s Crossword Puzzle competition. The bonding between us continued and we both eventually became closer after I entered university. You were obviously missing me when I left home for the first time. You took the initiative to be tech savvy, by using a hand phone to keep in touch with me. (In actual fact, he hates using a hand phone! LOL). You don’t mind listening to my complaints about the jungle stay. You don’t mind chatting with me on the phone for hours. No matter what happens, you will always stay by my side to support me. You are truly an influential figure as I’ve always hero-worshipped you ever since I was a child. I had even compared you to Superman when I was young!! Haha…too bad you can’t fly. If not, you’ll be getting a red coloured underwear for your birthday!

Being an ever-supportive father, you have never complained anything whenever we request for favours. You have never really grumbled when you’re not satisfied with something. The most is you’ll nag for a while, and then forget about the whole thing a moment later. Even when you’re tired, you drag yourself to shopping complexes with me. Well, I sometimes really prefer you to accompany me on a shopping spree cuz your fashion taste suits me! From the first moment you saw bro and I, you have always been proud of us. You are forever telling other people about the both of us. When bro graduated, you told almost everyone you meet about the good news. Now that he’s working, you tell your friends, relatives and colleagues that your son is attached to an MNC and always keep everyone updated about that bloke. You love to tell anyone you meet about me too. When I was offered a place to pursue tertiary education, you brag to everyone that your daughter is a university student. Even the friendly vegetable seller at Chowrasta Market knows that I’m studying at Universiti Hutan Malaysia! And every time when I’m back in Penang, you’ll try your best to cancel every other activity just to be with me. You’ll inform your friends, relatives, colleagues and sometimes even mum, “Oh, my girl is back from the university. Sorry, I’m not free /I can’t join!”

All the time, Chinese communities have a concept that a girl will always follow her father’s footsteps, particularly in terms of characteristics. I guess it’s pretty true! Well, it’s really obvious that we both have similar traits. Other than that, people always compliments that the both of us look alike. Cubby cheeks, high forehead, broad shoulders, weird looking toes, extra fats here and there that make us very huggable, et cetera. We have the same taste in food and many other things too. And the funniest part is that I used to ‘steal’ all your favourite food when I was young! Haha… Besides all those, you could keep secrets too! I remember informing you earlier about the long-time plan of changing my hairstyle. You didn’t tell mum anything about my plan. You didn’t object too. But, you reminded me not to give mum a big shock. Now, with a new hairstyle, you think I look cool even though mum made a big fuss about it for one whole day! When you went overseas to fulfill job obligations, our house seemed empty cuz when you’re around; you fill the small dwelling by cracking jokes, sometimes even dirty jokes! LOL! At times, you can be quite conservative, but you are definitely not a quiet person. You are forever seen talking, even to strangers! Your outspoken character has always made us worried, especially mum. Your passion to talk about politics in the public make us uneasy as you might easily end up in the ISA with a free supply of nasi kandar and teh tarik!

Today, I’m glad that you’re still here with us. Even though you’re carrying a suddenly diagnosed hereditary time bomb, I just pray and hope that you’ll always be healthy and happy. Until now, I still don’t and will NEVER regret what I told God when you were ill. I’m willing to do anything just for you! And I really don’t mind losing something or everything just to have you with us, cuz I love you, Daddy! I don’t know whether you’re the best DAD in the whole wide world, BUT you are definitely the BEST in my world!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!

I love you!!!

This song is specially dedicated to Dad. I don’t know why I choose this song, but it’s a famous song about a father and his daughter.

Butterfly Kisses, Michael Bolton

There's two things I know for sure,
She was sent here from heaven,
and she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night,
she talks to Jesus and I close my eyes.
And I thank God for all the joy in my life,
But most of all, for...

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair.
"Walk beside the pony daddy,
its my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny,
daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning
And butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet sixteen today,
She's looking like her momma
a little more every day.
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and makeup,
from ribbons and curls.
Trying her wings out in a great
big world. But I remember...

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you daddy,
But if you don't mind,
I'm only going to kiss you on
the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong,
I must have done something right.
To deserve her love every morning,
And butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by
Precious butterfly
Spread your wings and fly

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise,
and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride room
just staring at her,
she asked me what I'm thinking,
and I said "I'm not sure,
I just feel like l'm losing my baby girl."
Then she leaned over...and gave me...
Butterfly kisses, with her mama there
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle daddy, its just about time"
"Does my wedding gown look pretty daddy?"
"Daddy don't cry "
Oh with all that I've done wrong, I must have
done something right
To deserve her love every morning
And butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more, man, this is
what love is
I know I've gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses...