I was never very “close” with my dad growing up…I mean, I would ask him for help with math and spelling and he’d proof-read my stories for me in school (until I got angry at him for being too critical of my style and grammar).
Before going to university, I didn’t “hate” my parents persay, but I didn’t get along with them. They were a big part in my decision to move away for university…of course it was in a way “running from my problems”, but it got to the point where many days I was just really frustrated.
Since going through first year and being away from home, my relationship with my family has changed a lot…I appreciate them so much more, and I think they appreciate me more too.
Anyways, back to my dad…I don’t have a lot of the facts, but I know the gist..
Kenneth Kai Kwan Leung (aka Daddy) was born January 1st 1949 (yeah, he’s old) in I think Hong Kong. His dad died when he was 6 (i think)…My grandmother raised 7 (?) kids by herself. From what I know, it was often hard to make ends meet and it wasn’t easy growing up. My dad became an apprentice baker for 10 years (my dad knows how to make chinese buns from scratch) and he studied at the same time…He saved enough money to go to teacher’s college and that’s where he met my mom;)
Although he got his certificate to be a teacher, he wanted more. He decided to study abroad at Corcordia University in Montreal. At the time, he and my mom were going out, so it was a pretty hard breakup. But they got back together once he returned to hk after finishing university. He got his master’s in econ I think.
Anyways, even though it was probably really scary, he and my mom decided to leave all their family and friends immigrate to the foreign land called Canada. He took on many odd jobs at first (apparently he even worked at Shoppers stocking stuff;) but he eventually settled into more permanent jobs…Today he works as an accountant and also teaches chinese school on saturdays.
All that knowlege is probably useless. What I think is really cool is how my dad learned to be a dad. He messes up all the time, but the thing is…he had no one to model. He had no male figure growing up. Although my dad never verbally tells me he loves me. He never hugs me. (On occasion he has, but it’s been awkward) He’s a do-er….a man of action. He’ll bake me make me ribs…he fixes things…he’ll do little things that show he cares. (When I went home last weekend, my mom told me he’d vacuumed my room before because I’m allergic to the dust). He’ll even buy me an electric guitar for my 17th birthday. Although he’s doesn’t spend much on himself, he never saves on things for me and my brother.
I think that God has blessed my dad in so many ways. And I think that’s the amazing thing about parental and fatherly love…it’s the way we should always love others…it’s the way God loves us…
unconditionally
Nov 06, 2005
