As father’s day looms around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to reflect on some of the most important figures in our lives – Our Dads.
Here is a poignant reflection from Thuy, a 2nd Generation Vietnamese Australian who likes to write to her father from time-to-time.
Dear Dad,
It’s been a long time, since I last wrote to you.
I’m really sorry about that! But with Trung, Alan and Kristen, I’ve been so busy, that I lost track of time.
Father’s Day is coming soon and I wanted to talk to you. I hope things are going well for you, because lately things have been a bit rocky between Alan and I. He is going through his rebellious teenage years. He talks back to Trung and I a lot, and we often find ourselves shouting a lot more than we have to. I find it so hard to talk to him, he’s growing up so fast.
Because of this I’ve been thinking of you lately. I remember the lessons you taught me, how to be patient, how to be gentle and how to talk to each other and listen. I recall the times when I used shout back at you and how sad you must have felt but would never show it. I tried to what you would do to us when we were younger – just listen and not jump to conclusions. I don’t know if it will get through to Alan but he has been opening up to us just a tiny bit lately – I’m hopeful.
Where did you learn all this dad? You never really talked about yourself, I sometimes wonder just how much you kept from Mum and I?
Recently, we went through some of your things, and found your old mechanic uniform and the gloves you wore when you used to work at the factory.
Mum teared up, looking at it. She told me that you would always don the uniform without fail, every day at 7am and go to work for hours on end. How she used to make your lunchboxes in the morning and would just smile and hug her before going to work. She told me that you used to be a mechanic in our homeland, before coming here.
When I used to ask you about life before you came to Australia, you were always quiet about it. When Mum showed me the pictures of your wedding in our homeland, I cried. You two looked so happy and beautiful. When I remember the wrinkles on your forehead the last time I saw you, it made me think of all the things you must have gone through coming here to Australia and how hard you must have worked and suffered in silence to keep our family together as best you could.
I kept that photo. I hope you don’t mind Dad. Mum said that there were a lot more of your things, that she planned on making a display of. Seeing and opening your things again, seemed to give her a smile I hadn’t seen too often lately. I was really happy to see Mum get so active. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I’m so proud of you and thankful for everything you’ve done for me and our family.
I miss you terribly, and will keep fighting to keep your flame and memory going.
I’ll talk to you soon, Dad.
Mum, Trung, Alan and Kristen all miss you too.
Your loving daughter,
Thuy
No two stories are ever the same but they all have a common thread in that every story holds meaning for someone. We should cherish such moments.
If you want to show Dad your appreciation this Father’s Day but are unsure what to get, maybe consider donating a ‘brick’ on his behalf towards building the Vietnamese Museum Australia where his name and memory will be forever inscribed and perhaps his story to be passed on from generation to generation!
For more details check out our donation page!
