About 6 months ago, my father celebrated his 60th birthday. It was timely to hold a celebration as relatives residing overseas were back in Singapore for a cousin's wedding, which was held a few days before his birthday. So my mom and i decided to throw him a surprise party at a restaurant in novotel. Given the last minute decision (one day before!) there was little i could plan for entertainment except for speeches. I rounded up the key ppl, mainly his siblings, selected in-laws and my mom. My mother had asked me to make a speech as well, but i thought being the coordinator was a task hard enough. I did however help my mom draft out a speech (which she did not use, AT ALL, and as i found out, was a natural speech-maker) and thought that it wld suffice. On the day itself, everyone was being very cooperative and made their speeches. Relevant or not, meaningful or not, i thanked them all for their efforts. After we returned home, as my parents were relishing in the day's celebrations, i thought to myself, i wish i had made that speech. I let it go thinking that a few months or even days down the road, i would have forgotten about it. Unfortunately, 6 months later, i Still wish i had made a speech for my father. Well, to appease myself, i shall do it. Here.

Dear daddy,
A year ago, you made my 21st birthday speech. Whether you were meaning for it to or not, it sure brought tears to my eyes. Such are your words to me. Short, simple but filled with soo much meaning. When i sat down to think of what i could say today, i told myself to be positive and to say only good things. But that wouldn't be a genuine speech, would it? Because, i know for a fact that there have been days where i absolutely abhorred you and your mere existence. Then again, which daughter hasnt felt that way about her father in her fit of anger? But as much as i wished all those evil thoughts, i knew deep in my heart that i would never be able to live without you. Amma always believed that i followed after you when it came to my bad habits; my hot temper, being stubborn, being messy. What she didn't realise is that i try and constantly am trying to pick up the traits of you that I see..your integrity, honesty, giving heart, unconditional love, determination, sensibility....and soo much more.
No one could ever understand what you went through as a child/young adult, taking on full responsibility of your family at such a young age yet achieving academic excellence. I am sure your siblings are grateful for that.
I thank you for always bearing the brunt of our faults, for always standing by me through my many decisions, for always pushing me to reach for my dreams.
When i'm barely able to complete a 15 mins jog, you complete your first marathon at the age of 59. You have indeed taught me that nothing is impossible. For that and for all the many other things you have taught me, I thank you.
There are soo many incidents, soo many memories that i have of the times we spent together while completing my "young botany card" in botanic gardens on a sunday when i was in primary school, running around bras basah road for teachers' day decorations at 10pm and it would be difficult for me to share it all in this speech but i've found something soo apt that sums it all up: "The finest years i knew, were all the years i had with you."
I Love you daddy. And here's to many more wonderful birthday celebrations.

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine who was an avid reader of my blog, told me that i should stop professing my love/gratitude for my friends via this medium as it sounded..how did she put it..FAKE. To think that i actually got affected by the comment and stopped writing shoutouts to my dearest friends for a couple of months. Well, bullocks to that friend, 'cos this is MY blog and I'll say what i need to say to my friends.
Priyalatha and Shahid, i love our impromptu, in-the-car convos that we hv talking about our lives, our futures. It not only eases the mind, but makes me feel soo safe and complete with you guys in the car, away frm the nasty world outside. I hope to carry on doing this with you guys as you mean the world to me.
I love the both of you.