MyStory

            It was late in the night.  My eyes were still darting over the page on my biology textbook on the dining table when the echoes of a steady pounding of footsteps announced the arrival of Super Dad, my hero.

            I looked up and was greeted by a familiar warm smile. It was that smile that melted the heart of my mother.  It was that smile that indicated the tiredness after a long days’ work but somehow it never fails to be the heroic mask to bring warmth into the family. There were streaks of wrinkles at the corners of his eyelids. His hazel-brown eyes gleamed under the shreds of bright light despite the exhaustion displayed by the arching of his eyebrows.

            I like the way my dad always arches his eyebrows, even if it indicates that he is tired. His eyebrows always remind me of a boomerang. They compliment his sharp and alert attitude whenever he is reprimanding my brother or me for some silly ethics.

            My hero used to work as a production supervisor in a plastic-producing factory. His salary was considerably high and he was happy with his job. But I have a grandmother who is suffering from kidney failure and requires going for dialysis treatment at the National Kidney Foundation trice a week. His working hours was disrupted. He had to bring my grandmother for dialysis treatment during his lunch hours and rush back for work. The manager’s anger pistols were triggered as the trips often resulted in dad being late for his second shift. He gave up his job in the end. The filial piety displayed from this sacrificial act had imprinted a very deep image of the importance of selflessness and compassion in me from young.

            Now, my dad works as a taxi driver. He does not have a relief driver. Hence in order to make ends meet, he has to work almost 15 hours a day in a small and cramped taxi. That is definitely not an ideal working environment, however, he has never once complained about the hardship he has been suffering through daily. He has to face various attitudes from approximately 20 over ‘villains’ a day, those varying from friendly ones to mean and demanding ones who think highly of their ‘superiority’

            Somehow, my dad will never be bothered by any of that boisterous behaviour he has to endure. In fact, he never brings back any of his troubles that bothers him in his work. He often greets us with a charming grin when he’s back from work and shares the hilarious experiences he has had for the day during dinner.

He also believes strongly in spending quality family time. Dad often brings the family out for some family bonding even if he was over exhausted. The family is always his first priority. To him, the family is his life.

            “It’s late, go to bed soon ok?” I nodded. He reached down and ruffled my hair. I watched as he settled down in the hall couch with the TV remote control. I knew he was set on seeing me settled in bed before he will budge from his spot.

            My dad is the man whom I admire, respect and love so dearly. I am very proud of my dad. He is the one who displayed filial piety I have never seen before. He is the one who has formed the gel between every member in the family. He is the person who will do whatever it takes to protect his family. He is Super Dad.

Gan XiaoXuan