Has your father never attended a parent-teacher meeting for you?

(Baonghean) - There are so many things I don't like about you, Dad. You always make me feel like I'm a familiar, close childhood friend. You always make me constantly strive to become a good man… Dad!

1. When I was little, my dad used to buy me toys. Even though my mom disapproved, he secretly bought me the things I liked. Once, at the airport, just before the plane was about to take off, he still ran to buy me a model airplane because he saw me looking at it longingly. He was sweating profusely, frantically pushing his way through the crowd to make it on time. Even after boarding the plane, the sweat on his shirt hadn't dried yet. What if we missed the flight? My dad was so...

2. Once, my father spanked me for being messy. I was studying, and my books and papers were scattered everywhere. He told me to clean up, but I was too busy studying to do it in time. So he spanked my hand because, according to him, if you're not tidy, you'll never be able to organize your life. I didn't feel any pain, but whenever I think about it, my eyes always well up with tears…

3. Dad always sings lullabies to me. It's supposed to be Mom's job, but Dad insists on doing it. He says that singing lullabies to me is also like singing lullabies to himself. And so now, every time I go to sleep, I have to imagine Dad's lullabies surrounding me...

Illustration: Hong Toai

4. My father often scolded me. When I studied extra hours, he scolded me. When I was clumsy, he scolded me. When I played dangerous games, he scolded me. He only scolded me; he never forbade me from doing things properly. I grew up following his scolding...

5. Dad often cries. When he recalls the past, he cries. When someone in the family is sick, he cries. When I'm hurt, he cries. Every time I remember him, even though I don't want to cry, my eyes still well up with tears…

6. Every evening, Dad always tries to get me to watch movies with him. But he never watches the movies he likes. He just asks me what movies I want and puts one on for me. I've watched Harry Potter more than 50 times, and every time, he asks the same question: "Who is this character?"

7. My father has never attended a parent-teacher meeting for me; my mother always goes. Because for him, grades aren't important, and no titles are worth paying attention to. He only needs to know if I'm healthy or sick, happy or sad, careful or careless, polite and friendly or cold and distant, honest or secretive... That's all he needs to know.

8. When I was away, Dad always wrote letters that, after reading them, made me miss home. I missed the fireplace in our house. I missed the rose bush on the rooftop. I missed our lazy, silly cat. And I missed Mom, and I loved her so much...

There are so many things I dislike about you, Dad. You always make me feel like I'm a familiar, close childhood friend. You always make me constantly strive to be a good man… Dad!

Thanh Tuong(Source: Facebook)