Author Koh Lin ◦
As I get older, I realise some memories are slipping away… but now and again, a snippet pops into my head. Sometimes it takes a little effort to bring that memory to the fore and if I am lucky, the fragments of memories becomes real again.
I have been contemplating doing a series titled “Fragments…” and although my father passed away many years ago, my father has been top of my mind lately. As I was browsing the internet, this photo popped up on my screen of something my father had typed many many moons ago…
which was based on a poem by Rudyard Kipling, If: A Father’s Advice to His Son
If you can keep your head while all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you and make allowance for their doubting too. If you can wait and not be tired by waiting or being worried dont deal in lives dont give way to hating.
If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run, yours is the earth and everything thats in it, what is more YOU’LL BE A MAN MY SON.
My dad had joined the British Army when he was young. His last posting before retiring into civilian life was in Germany. This was his “Phrase Book for the Services in Germany” and his REME belt.
REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) motto is “Soldier First, Tradesman Always” and ‘ARTE et MARTE’ translates as the Corps Motto to mean ‘with, skill and fighting’.
Following snapshot of my dad’s 221 Vehicle Bn R.A.O.C. Cigarette Issue Card.
Retiring from army life, my father brought his family to Australia… for a new start and new beginnings.
Looking back at my life, I know that my father had a huge influence on me. Through all my troubles and doubts growing up and even into adulthood, he always stood by me and when I had some of those important talks with him, he was there to listen.
I miss him…
Check out other blogs by Koh Lin.
