"My dad is a Superhero!"

These words were common in our schools when we were growing up. 

To each kid, the father is always the strongest, the smartest, the handsomest, the nicest, the kindest, the coolest. I grew up with all these superlatives when describing my dad. Even now, these superlatives are still true to me as a son.

Dad is strict but always fair. Growing up as the youngest in the family, I got the most attention from him, apologies to my other siblings... NOT! I like everything that he likes. I like fishing since my dad used to fish a lot. I took up golf because my dad loves golf. Everything that he did, I wanted to do. Dad is cool. Dad knows everything. Never a question that he didn't have an answer to. In fact, everything that I did was to get that, "Well done", "Good job". Hang on, actually, he was never really explicit in terms of words but the hugs. The hugs say it all. That was enough to know he was proud of my achievements. He wouldn't say it to my face but in conversations with his friends, you could hear the pride he has when he talks about me (ok ok ok.. and the other siblings too).

Dad had this thing about wearing the right stuff for the right occasion. You always need to look smart even in your casual clothes. Shoes without socks? A Big No No! In fact, pants without belt? Tsk tsk! "Don't slouch! Walk like a man!" he would bellow. "Appearance tells a lot about a man".

What I admire most about dad was his ability to talk to anyone from any walk of life and can hold a conversation even with the worst of them. One big lesson he taught was, never hold a grudge. He was true to every single person he met. In fact, I find it amazing that even after 30 odd years, people will still go up to him and say they remember him from back then. I remember a road trip we had ages ago. He brought us to this small village he used to visit when he was a young man to distribute fertilizers. Back then there weren't even paved roads. We stopped for a drink in this old coffee shop. After 30 years, someone in that village still remembered him. Amazing!

Dad is my best friend. He is always a hug away when you are feeling down. He is always with the pat on the shoulder when you have done well. If you slack off, he tells it as it is. He is and always will be my hero.

Dad has never shown any of us his weaker side. Maybe it's his pride but I think it is more of his paternal instinct where he never shows his weaknesses to his kids or wife, AT ALL! I love that about him. He can be stubborn at times but the pride makes dad what he is. Superheroes never cry. Superheroes never feel pain. Superheroes are invincible. Superheroes always saves the day. Superheroes are our idols. Dad, you are a Superhero. At least to me.

When I grow up, I want to be just like my dad. I love you, Ba! You are MY Superhero!