Dad's Letter

When I was a child, then growing up to teenager, I still kept in mind the standard of my future man. He must be like this or like that and especially he must be like my Dad in his own ways. I dreamt to the day I would introduce him to my parents and ask for their blessings. To now, that dream turned to up side down. But still I remembered my Dad’s letter to his beloved daughters years ago when my sister, Phuong, first time introduced her future man to my parents.

To my beloved daughters,

Choosing a husband for your life is your decision. My opinion is a guide to you.

I am joyfully imagining the day when my daughter with red cheeks, feeling shy and shaking voice announcing her future man who will come to ask me for their wedding. When the day comes, I will be very happy hoping that my son-in-law won’t be an elegant or a good talker, because these kinds of people are usually very attractive to many women and their characters are often curious and disloyal.

I don’t like those who are so polish outside. Those people must waste a lot of time in their lives just for the external and don’t have place for the happiness of others. I don’t like those who are so eccentric or stylish in clothing or absurd. With those people, they don’t know how to affirm and respond to the good behavior of their neighbors. I don’t like those who want to show their knowledge. Yet, nobody can please them. They pretend to know everything. But as matter of fact, they are always unresolved. Their complex mind makes others admire, but it does not warm anyone. I don’t like those who are workaholic. They don’t have time for sightseeing, for a simply and spontaneously living. They don’t have enough liberal minds for loving, because their works are holes which bury their souls. I don’t like those who try to prove their morals. And yet, their morals make them live in lies. They always demand over their wives and don’t pay attention about the livelihood. I don’t like those who are so rich. They are busy for their inheritance to become bigger. And therefore, they don’t have place for their families.

I don’t like….

I don’t like….

Then I asked “Dad, did you think about yourself before telling to your daughters these things?” It is so discouraged to look for a right man for life, and then I continued to question “Dad, if those people don’t like you also!!!” But Dad said “Wait for a few minutes, how I will not like your husband?” With a condition, Dad continued “Your future husband must be honest, especially; her has to be balanced and should not be so partial to any virtue which I have just told.”

Now, taking my little free time while I am alone and be with my own self, I think of my Dad and his letter to me and my sister Phuong. I started to appreciate his great love and wide vision about his daughters’ future. It’s all out of his love. I am sure that Dad can’t bear to see his daughters suffered in their lives. What Dad wrote would be sealed in my heart. Until I still enjoy my life, while my sister has a happy family with her meek and gentle husband and her two lovely daughters.

Dad, we will not know what will be in the future. All we know now is you love us and wish us a happy life. It gives you pleasant and joy in your life.

Thank you, Dad. You are always the one who I run for questions and clarification. Yes, I am Dad’s beloved daughter.