MDAM: My Dad And Me
With every new year that passes by it becomes more apparent the influence my dad has on me.
Everyday, I will attempt to create a professional, articulate, hilarious and modern take on my day of thought or action. Inspired by Casey Neistat who created a vlog everyday for 450 straight days. I will call it: 365MeThoughts
To find the acronyms that are at the top, go to my Instagram page everyday and see what the images are and see if you can figure it out…
It’s the 31st of the 12th month today. The final day of 2017. While everyone writes testimonials to their friends and families on Facebook and Instagram, I’ll save mine for tomorrow. Today is about my dad.
Just to conform, here is an old picture that represents what the year 2017 has done to me…
Now onto business I suppose… the story actually starts today and to sum up today here is another picture…
The day started rather alertedly at 07:15 where I awoke to the sound of an alarm. Dusty-eyed from the insomnia, I woke my dad up to go and play golf. It had rained on and off all night but after much deliberation the previous evening, this was the only option. After arriving at the course, we played 3 holes and quickly departed. Sideways rain and blistering-cold winds halted our progress. Why’s this important? Well, because I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else.
As of late, my dad and I are looking for a new car. My current car is rather old and could be classed as a ‘health hazard’. With that in mind, we have been ferrying around the car dealerships for days now to find the new motor. It’s been difficult but we are making steady progress (and by that I mean we are no nearer than we were at the start). The way our relationship works is that — I’ll make a decision, he’ll disagree and then go with his own decision, but revert halfway through leaving me often in tears of laughter. Quite like the emoji we all reply to when we don’t know what to say, know the one? Of course you do.
My dad is an honourable man. Having travelled to the UK from Pakistan, a mere 27 years ago to complete his education and follow his own path. He’s not a doctor and is proud of that. He never pushed me to be a doctor. He was always kind and accommodating and now I study Human Geography. Some of my family don’t know what Human Geography is but sometimes, even I struggle to articulate it as it is completely multi-faceted.
It is clear to see that we both have a passion for playing golf (as bad as we may be), it has been the thing that has made and broke our relationship. In the early years, I was constantly told I had ‘talent’ (superficial and fragmented term that has destroyed the enjoyment factor of so many young golfers). My dad (in my opinion) thought that he had a duty of care to see this ‘talent’ through, given also I’m his only child I feel this pressure was intensified . I started playing golf at 8 and by the age of 11, I fell out of love with the game. My dad (because he’s pretty bloody brilliant) acknowledged the lack of interest and let me be. I focused on my studies and got into a good school and I was set for the next 7 years of my life.
Around the age of 14, I joined the local club again. I dusted off the cobwebs and became greatly involved in the community. My dad and I did due diligence to Sidcup GC. I was junior captain for the 2014/2015 season and my dad was junior organiser for most of our time at the club. The moment captured by my wonderful mum (to be featured in a blog post in future weeks) presents a moment of pure euphoria. He presents me with a trophy. I won a lot that year. That was most successful year as an amateur. This photo captures a near ten-year-long struggle battling in the game of golf between my dad, me and little white ball. Powerful, I get emotional just looking at it.
Now, it is the last day of 2017. My golf has been poorer since 2015, I have had new opportunities in different areas and my dad has been nothing but supportive. The photo above was taken earlier this month on my last day in Austin, TX. Dad always pushed me to follow my dreams. I would never had been in Texas without my family’s support. Never would’ve had the publishing opportunities nor battled inner demons that nearly stopped my life altogether. All I’ve ever known is my mum and dad, sometimes I get jealous of other family’s networks. But oftentimes I can’t complain nor should I worry about what I can’t change.
My dad is the epitome of success. Whether I end up with a car or stay with my health-hazard of a car, the moments shared and the memories captured will be worth the hassle.
All I can wish is that when I grow old, follow my dreams — improve the lives of those who can’t for themselves — that I become half the man that my dad at 50 is today.
Cheers to all parents around the world, for you are the reason we celebrate all these new years with a roof over our heads and food on the table.
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