When you were younger, you'd often feel that your dad was a really scary person. He doesn't talk much and is always in charge of disciplining you, so you don't open up or stick to him as much as you would your mum.
As you grow older, it doesn't change much. Even when you failed in a major exam or feel sad over a breakup, he'll offer only a few words of support that goes along the lines of “keep trying, next time will be better”, when all you wanted to do was cry out loud and receive a warm hug, maybe.
Growing up comes with it's own emotional turmoil, and in the midst of trying to grow up to be a strong, independent individual - we fail to realize somehow everything else around the house is always well-taken care of.
The house is always well-stocked with food and snacks that you need when studying, all your school fees are paid for and you never ever have to worry about being kicked out for late payments, you need a ride somewhere? It's settled, you have transport wherever you need to go. It's become so normal to have what you need laid out for you that you don't realize how much you've been taking things for granted.
I've always called that every dad's quiet superhero power. It's quiet because it doesn't announce itself loudly, yet always shows up whenever we need it. Superheroes don't just come whenever we ask for them, they show up because we need them at the right place and at the right time; and that, to me, is what my dad is. A superhero.
Even superheroes aren't perfect, and they can't be good at everything. It's like hoping Captain America will be able to fly without mechanical wings. Yet, they get things done just the way they are simply because they need to, and even when they don't want to.
Doesn't that just sound like a Dad to you?
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C Chai (crystal.chaijeecheng@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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