Poems, accolades, writings, call it what you want

Poems, accolades, writings, junk! Call it what you may

I wished I could churned out poems like Edgar Allan Poe. Unfortunately, I am not and don’t claim to be even one. These writings of mine were part of my thoughts related to events that happened in my life. It was my way of expressing how I felt at that moment in time, a show of appreciation and gratitude, and a way of preserving a memory

Regrets

This may be my first documented writings in the sense that I posted it on my facebook page and the starting material for what was to be parityd.com . This was dedicated to my late mom with whom we do not see eye to eye in how I handle my life. It is an acknowledgement to her unselfish dedication to us. There is a post on regrets on this link

Regrets

you brought me to this world
and you gave me life
you sheltered me from the bad
and showed me only the good.
no matter how bad I did
you only see the good in me
you picked me up
every time I fall
not once did you ask for anything in return
not once did I give you anything in return

you may not be the best cook
but we never go to bed hungry
you could not buy us new clothes
but we always have clean clothes
you may not know your ABC or 123
but you make darn sure we know ours
you were up all night
while we sleep through high fever
not once did we hear you complain
not once did we not complain.

you were worried sick
when i joined the army
not once did I call to tell you I am fine
all I did was burdened you with muddy uniform
and what did you ask for in return
nothing!
and what did i gave you in return
nothing!

when you lost your loving son
a part of you died
the brother I lost
is the son you couldn’t let go
when you wanted to talk
i didn’t lend you my ear
when you needed a shoulder
i have none to give.

we may have our differences and quarrels
but you are always happy to see me
no matter how ungrateful I have been
you never wavered in your love for me
the selfish me may not know sacrifices
the unselfish you make the sacrifices
not once did I hear you complain
how many times did you hear me complain?

I asked for more time, to do the right thing
Time I do have plenty, but I didn’t do a thing
It is easier to think than to do
Regrets I have many
Not having the courage to say I love you and Thank you
is one that will pain me forever

Your courage I may not have
Your sacrifices I may not make
Your forgiveness I may not have learned
Thankful I am to be your son
If given a chance to pick a mom again
I will choose you not once but every time

As you leave for a better place
know that all along I have always love you
and appreciate all that you have done.
My regret is not telling you so

I love you and thank you.

a grateful son

Thank you for being there

This dedication to the second fiddle in the family but nonetheless as important as the mom. You guessed it, my dad. Dad was a self-taught man and worked as an accountant for the British NAAFi. Growing up, he insisted that we master our English grammar. Over dinners or when he was not bogged down in work, he would test us on the definitions of what a verb, noun, pronoun, and more. We had to memorize them. It didn’t make any sense to me as a kid, but now I wished I had memorized them. Parenting back in those days were different from what parenting is now a days. His focus was only on us getting good grades in school. That was it! My late brother Basil, was a model student, and I was the complete opposite. As such Basil received all the praises and attention and yours truly received the punishments. As I said, parenting in those days were different than today’s, but the intentions are the same. All out of love. There is also a post for this

Thank you
For making me who I am today
When you could have just given up
For seeing only the good in me
When others see the bad
For always believing in me
When I gave you no reason to
For carrying me on your shoulder
When I couldn’t see through the crowd
For making the sacrifices
When excuses would have suffice

Warren Buffet you are not
What you gave us his money can’t buy
The love only a father can give
A place we call home
Clothes on our back
Never going to bed hungry
And most of all a chance to succeed in life

I have taken you for granted
Yet you have never once complained
I have never once thank you for all you have done
Yet you are always there for me to the very end
Thank you and rest in peace!
— In loving memory of Hsing Chia Siang, my father (1921 -2015)

Team Tucker

This is not poem but a dedication and acknowledgement to an egoless manager who unwaveringly stand behind her team. If you put the red letters together, it spell out her last name TUCKER!

I have had many managers in my career, every and each one has their strengths and also many weaknesses. Not a single one of them has the complete package of what a Manager should be:
• Technical Skillset to understand/assist the team overcome challenges
• Understanding and Patience to navigate through the complex maze of daily team issues
• Compassionate about her team and their work
• Knowing when to take a back seat
• Empowering the team to succeed individually and as a team
• Resourcefulness – always looking for ways to accomplish more with limited resources

Mary, you have all of the above attributes and more. I want to thank you for being there for me especially during the past few weeks. Your calm demeanor and resourcefulness was really essential in helping us get over the AVA/FCA issues. Your care is genuine and greatly appreciated! I vote you Manager of the Decade! (btw, you still owe me the ribs J)

Diane

It was late at night, and I was staring at the TV, not paying attention. For no reason, I started thinking about a good friend who I assume must be going through a tough time, as her partner was in hospice. This was just after the 2023 Christmas holiday and the New Year. I told myself, maybe I should send my good friend a message of encouragement. Both my parents spent a substantial time in hospice care, and I know how that felt. Ideas and words started forming in my head and I told myself I would write something the next day. After several minutes, I decided to capture it on my iPhone notes. Before I knew it, I had completed the Diane “poem”. I knew it was late or early 3 am ET when I texted the poem to my good friend, not thinking much about it. To my surprise, she responded immediately, notifying me that Diane had just passed away an hour ago!! Thinking back, there must be a reason why I was thinking about my good friend! There are instances in life where something happens for a reason, though it may not be obvious to all parties involved.

Diane

We have never met

Seems like I know you

We have a common friend

Someone who cares about you

Someone who talked about you

Someone who is so proud of you

We may not have met

But I know so much about you

Cause we have a common friend

You are in her thoughts

You are the subject of her talk

You are the center of her universe

Though we have never met

I am glad I know about you

Cause our friend tells me all

About what a wonderful person you are

About what a joy to be around you

About those hilarious adventures both took

I know so much about you

It seems like we have met

Though we have never met

In memory of a friend I have never met who passed away last night. Rest In Peace, Diane!

— eh