周劍華

上學的時候，我好像從來沒有寫過“我的父親”的作文。但關於我們的父親是個怎樣的人，卻一直有著非常清晰的認知。 他在我們姐妹的生命裡是很重要的存在，在我們人生中所有的重要關卡從不缺席。他是一個很愛家的男人，記憶中我們小時候，他幾乎所有的假期都花在我們身上，所以那個年代，物資雖然沒現在那麼豐富，可我們的童年就是比很多人都要精彩，去過的地方也是多到數不清。 Back in school, I don’t think I have ever written the typical essay about "My Father." But I have always had a very clear idea of what kind of person our father was. He was, without a doubt, an important presence in our lives. He was always there at critical times and milestones. He was a man who loved his family dearly. I remember when we were kids, he used to spend almost all of his days-off with us. That is why even when resources were not as abundant back then, our childhood was a lot more exciting than most children in those days. We did a lot together and visited many places together.

我爸是出了名的對妻子細心呵護，我還記得父母會和朋友一起出去玩，有嬸嬸阿姨們事後會開玩笑的說：「老婆上個廁所你也要守在外面，不用這麼細心吧，你這樣會把我們比下去的喔！」。 我媽懷孕生下我們坐月子的時候，我爸會每天早上四五點就起床做飯給我媽吃，因為他聽說“五更飯”對產婦有益，一天不落喔！ My dad was known for being a loving and caring husband. I still remember when my parents went out with their friends, they would joke and say, “Really!? You need to wait outside for your wife to finish using the restroom? This is way over, it makes us look bad!" When my mom was sitting through the postpartum care month after giving birth to us, my dad would wake up at four or five in the morning to cook for her. Because he had heard that the "early morning meal" was beneficial for new mothers, and he never missed a day!

我爸是個非常樂天的人，你想呀，他成長的那個年代，物資極度缺乏，在鄉下日子過不了，從內地跑到香港來投靠祖母和叔叔。那時候，人浮於事，想著去考警察吧，可因為當時太瘦沒被錄取，好在當時有個教官“慧眼識英雄”，說：「這小子以後會胖起來的。」就這樣，我爸就開始了長達31年的警察生涯了！盡忠職守，更曾獲“香港島指揮官嘉許”，是我們一幫小屁孩的驕傲。 My dad was an extremely optimistic person. He grew up during a time of extreme scarcity, and life in the Mainland was difficult. He left home to seek help from his grandmother and uncle in Hong Kong. At that time, jobs were scarce, and he wanted to become a police officer. But he was too thin and wasn't accepted. Luckily, there was an instructor with a keen eye who said, "This kid will gain weight in the future." And so, my dad began his 31-year career as a police officer! His dedication and service earned him the "Commanding Officer's Commendations (Hong Kong Island),” making us kids so proud.

我爸也是個非常幽默的人，他總是很多”爛gag“，超爛的那種，可你就是會被他感染，笑到哭，我們外婆就常常被他逗到不行。 除了性格開朗，他同時是個言出必行，光明磊落的人，說到做到就是他的標誌。他未必是大無畏，或者是大勇的人，但只要他認為應該做的事，他就必定全力以赴，必須做到。就是有時候吧。。。可能是太全力以赴了。。。就好像你別讓他知道你喜歡吃什麼，一旦他知道了，你就準備一生吃下去，不准換，不准拒絕，嗯。。。 My dad was also a very humorous person. He always had some "lame gags” up his sleeve, the kind that was so bad, it's good (wink). But you couldn't help but be infected by his laughter until you teared. Our grandmother was often amused to no end by him. In addition to being outgoing, he was also a man of his word, someone who lived by principles. Once he said he would do something, he followed through. He might not have been fearless or exceptionally courageous, but whenever he believed something needed to be done, he would go all out to make sure it was done. Well, sometimes... maybe he went a bit too far out... like, if you let him know what food you liked, you were destined to eat it for the rest of your life, no refusals allowed, politely or ruthlessly.

這些天，我總是不經意的憶起父親的點點滴滴。雖然知道他很好的完成了他的人生使命，現在已經回到天父的身邊，但我真的很想很想很想他。如果有來生，我願再與你當父女家人。 老爸，一路走好，我們在天堂再見。 These days, I often find myself remembering the little things about my father. Although I understand he fulfilled his life's mission flawlessly and has returned to the embrace of our Heavenly Father, I truly dearly sorely miss him. If there is another lifetime, I would be your daughter and family all over again. Dad, rest in peace. We'll see each other again in heaven.