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Despite our differences, I still love the old man

Father’s Day just passed and I, like many across the globe, called my dad up to wish him well on the day.

Father’s Day just passed and I, like many across the globe, called my dad up to wish him well on the day.

I’m not going to lie to you. Much like rams, my father and I butted heads, when I was growing up.

At the time, it seemed like he was nagging me but in hindsight, I see he was trying to instill good worth ethic in me.

Giving my all in every task I do, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is something that is second nature to me now but my father had a large influence on that, and I see it now.

People often say that you should respect your elders, and I agree with this, but getting into arguments and expressing your anger (in a healthy way) is both natural and beneficial as well.

My dad made me angry, furious, and while I never swore or had physical altercations with him, I was never hesitant to tell him I was angry with him and vice versa.

I’d say most of the times, he was in the right, but occasionally he was in the wrong and I would let him know it.

Some may say it’s being disrespectful and they’re right but because I was able to find a way to direct my anger, I don’t hold any hard feelings, I don’t hold any resentment and there isn’t any bottled up emotion and our relationship now is very strong because of it.

Respecting one’s elders is key but when you’re growing up, logic and societal conventions aren’t always what you’re thinking about.

As children mature into adulthood, they often seek to push the limits and that certainly was the case with me.

Of course, looking back on it now, I’m sorry for any distress I caused my father (and mother) but by the same token it was a necessary part of growing up.

You can’t change the past and looking at the present, all the butting of heads during my adolescence has given way to a healthy relationship with my father.

Happy Father’s Day again, Dad!

– Karl Yu is editor of the Grand Forks Gazette



Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

After interning at Vancouver Metro free daily newspaper, I joined Black Press in 2010.
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