Describe your father \ stacker news ~meta

1965 sats \ 20 comments \ @cryotosensei 15 Jun meta

Since it’s Father’s Day tomorrow, I thought I would share a bit about my dad and invite you to share about yours.

When people talk about my dad, they will definitely mention his calligraphy. He learnt it from a young age. He was so passionate about it that when he got fired as a Chinese-medium teacher (at a time when Singapore schools progressively switched to English medium), he turned to calligraphy as a means of livelihood. At the time, tourism was booming in Singapore. He created a niche of translating foreigners’ names into Chinese and writing them beautifully in red paper or fans. Even now, whenever I need to get a departing colleague a farewell gift, I turn to my dad and get him to write my colleague’s name on a fan. 🪭 Even if you are not into calligraphy, it’s hard to let your heart be closed to a fan bearing your name.

So, calligraphy is his life’s work. I can only wish that writing will become the vessel in which I leave behind my legacy.

Chinese New Year couplets written by my dad 👆🏽

How is your father like? What is your relationship with him like? What do you most appreciate about him?

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59 sats \ 3 replies \ @didiplaywell 15 Jun

Beautiful caligraphy, thank you for the picture :)

My dad is just like Randy Marsh from South Park. In all senses and extent.

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 15 Jun

Your dad sounds like a cute character. xP

If you are anything like Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory, you could be exasperated having to correct him half the time haha

49 sats \ 1 reply \ @didiplaywell 15 Jun

Just like Randy Marsh, he can be cute sometimes, and other times just be a full blown entitled fool. I have never had the impulse to correct people, so exasperation always happened at the inverse. You will get the picture if you project how irritating it would be for a Randy Marsh to deal with a Sheldon Cooper. That has lead to some forgettable episodes. But as I grew up, as you would for the poor Randy, I started feeling pity for him, for he is just a victim of his own limitations, so I kept no resentment. We have a good relationship now.

30 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 15 Jun

That’s a moment in every person’s life when we grow up and realise that our parents are also human

70 sats \ 1 reply \ @SatsMate 15 Jun

This story gave me goosebumps haha. It is so cool to see that torch carried from his generation to the next.

My father was a busy working man as a doctor. My relationship was somewhat distant, but I did appreciate how he taught me the right values, he helped me through school, raised me in a very nice neighborhood - and always did what he thought was right - even if he was wrong.

I appreciate how studious he is, as an academic he loves studying art, science, literature, and anatomy. He plays guitar, is a sculptor, paints, does archery, yoga, and marathons. He is always chasing interesting passion projects and I like that about him.

While I live far from him, I will make an effort to continuously see him as much as I can.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 15 Jun

I’m amazed at how your dad managed to develop so many hobbies as a busy doctor!

49 sats \ 2 replies \ @grayruby 15 Jun

That is some impressive calligraphy.

I have always had a great relationship with my dad.

He taught me the importance of a strong work ethic, taking care of your family and sacrificing for others. I got my love of baseball and music from him. He never missed one of my games when I played baseball and coached many of them. He never missed one of my shows when I was gigging in Toronto with my band.

Consistency, dedication, unwavering love and support. I owe a lot to him.

70 sats \ 1 reply \ @cryotosensei OP 15 Jun

100% record for both baseball and music, that’s really impressive. Shows where his priorities lie!

Is your coaching style influenced by your dad’s?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 15 Jun

In some ways but we are different in a lot of ways too.

49 sats \ 3 replies \ @Undisciplined 15 Jun

Would you say that you inherited your artistic side from your dad?

My dad is quite simply the best man I've ever met. He had a very difficult childhood, with a very cruel father. He never really had an opportunity to go to school and pursue his dream of being an engineer, until he was older than I am now. He had always worked very difficult construction jobs and his body was paying the price for it. I think my mom encouraged him to go school to pursue his lifelong engineering dream.

Instead of pursuing his dream, though, he became a math teacher and intentionally took a job in the poorest school, so that he could help the neediest kids. It was more important to him that other kids get a chance at their dreams.

I don't know how many times I've run into one of his former students and they ask if I'm related to him when they learn my name. They're so appreciative of the way he was tough with them but also dedicated to their success.

42 sats \ 2 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 15 Jun

I would say we share a facility for languages but he is superior in Mandarin ofc since he was Chinese-educated.

Perhaps your dad’s difficult childhood buttressed him against the pressures of the education system and helped him focus on helping his kids. It’s amazing that he kept his heart open throughout his life’s trials

49 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 15 Jun

It’s amazing that he kept his heart open throughout his life’s trials

I actually think it's even more impressive than that. He had to grow as a person and overcome the hard personality and beliefs that developed during his childhood.

42 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 15 Jun

For sure. On his own without any modelling from his dad

49 sats \ 1 reply \ @Manikese 15 Jun

My dad left the house when I was 8. I got to see him more every other week until I was 11 and he met a bartender. They got married when I was 16 and they moved far away. I talk to him every few months. I meet up with him about once per year when we are in a similar area so he can see his grandson. He is an ok guy. 68 now. Always building extensions on his house and taking boating and hunting trips.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 15 Jun

Very decent of you to let your son and dad form a relationship. He sounds really active!

49 sats \ 1 reply \ @030e0dca83 15 Jun

Never know him. You're lucky person if you have full family

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 15 Jun

Sorry to hear that. Yes, I’m lucky.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DiracDelta 16 Jun

Democrat who raised me under the prevailing leftist norms. Rarely ever talk to him.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Coinsreporter 16 Jun

Beautiful calligraphy!

My father is a reserved in nature middle class highly sociable intelligent man in business.

My relationship hasn't been like a father and son. Instead it's been like a casual friend.

I appreciate his quality of never ever changing for others. He remains as he is!

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @freebookspls 15 Jun

not today, CIA