A Good Read from Internet | 懷念慈父 | A Tribute to a Loving Father

原文

年輕時保羅·安卡的歌曲並不是我的一杯茶，大家年紀大了（我們同年），再聽這首《爸爸》，卻引起了很多的共鳴，不知不覺地會想起自己已經離世四十五年的老爹。

山東人稱父親為爹，他來自榮成縣，年輕喪父，因為家鄉和家庭極度窮困，教育水平不高，最初行船謀生，婚後被英國人招募到香港當差，幹到五十多歲因中風退休。在記憶中他是一位慈父，從來不會責駡我們兄弟四人，可能因為我們在英華讀書時成績不錯，並無令父親頭痛的機會。

他的一生沒有甚麼高潮，也沒有甚麼嗜好，有時喝了一杯五加皮後會哼哼《四郎探母》的幾句（他年輕離鄉別井後也再沒有機會和母親相聚），當時我們年紀輕根本不明白這是人生最大的慘事。他在生的另外兩件事，卻令我永誌難忘。

在港大入學試放榜前，從來不向人低頭的老爹居然向一位飯店老板的同鄉請求，假如取錄了之後可否在學費方面加以援手，希望能夠解決昂貴醫科學費的問題。當然放榜後優異成績帶來的三個獎助學金，使這要求並無需要，但是我心中知道，慈父為了兒子的未來必定會向人低聲下氣，盡其所能。

另外一件事就是在大會堂舉行的醫科畢業典禮中，他整齊的西裝加上領帶，和面上所露驕傲的笑容，是我從來沒有見過的。如果你不太記得朱自清的《背影》，讓我告訴你：每年六月近父親節之時，我必定再看一次，讀後感觸良多，有時不自覺地淚流下來。朋友們，你也聽聽這首《Papa》罷，父親永遠站在你的身後，無怨無求，是你生命中最好的幫手！

 

A Tribute to a Loving Father

When I was young, Paul Anka's songs never really appealed to me. But now, as I've grown older, listening to his song "Papa" brings forth a deep sense of nostalgia and reminds me of my father, who passed away forty-five years ago.

In Shandong, people refer to their fathers as "Old Dad." My father was from Rongcheng County and lost his father when he was young. Due to the extreme poverty and limited educational opportunities in his hometown, he initially made a living by sailing. After getting married, he was recruited by the British to work as a policeman in Hong Kong. He worked there until he retired in his fifties following a stroke. In my memory, he was a loving father who never scolded us. Perhaps this was because we performed well academically at Yinghua and never caused him any trouble.

He didn't have any significant achievements or hobbies. Occasionally, he would hum a few lines from "Shiro Visits His Mother" after a drink of Wujiapi (he had left home at a young age and never reunited with his mother). At such a young age, I couldn't grasp that this was one of the greatest tragedies of his life. Two other incidents stand out in my memories of him.

Before the admission results for the Hong Kong University were announced, my father, who never asked for favors, approached a restaurant owner to inquire if he could help with my tuition fees if I was admitted. He was willing to humble himself to ensure my education, despite the financial burden of his medical expenses. Thankfully, my excellent results earned me three scholarships and bursaries, making this unnecessary. However, I understood that my father would have done anything for my future.

Another unforgettable moment was during my medical graduation ceremony at the city hall. Seeing him in a neat suit and tie, with a proud smile on his face, was a sight I had never seen before. If you don't quite recall Zhu Ziqing's "Back," let me tell you that every June, as Father's Day approaches, I read it again. It always moves me deeply, sometimes bringing me to tears.

Friends, listen to Paul Anka's "Papa." It reminds us that our fathers are always there, standing behind us without complaint or expectation, being our greatest supporters throughout life.