By Armaan Malik @ FKB
Every child grows up having a superhero. Like most of you, I too had my moments of wanting to be like Superman or Batman or any one member of the Justice League. I dreamt of how cool it would be to have superpowers, to be popular, to be able to help people.
As an adult, I realize that superheroes are mere fictional characters created by normal people like you and I.
Nonetheless, I still dreamt of being special and having the ability to help others. I wanted to do good but how?
Coming from an average family where both parents worked long hours to make ends meet, I saw first-hand what it meant to make sacrifices.
Mom was a nurse at a government hospital. She worked on all shifts, morning, noon, night. Despite her hectic schedule, she always ensured me and my brothers had a warm meal to come home to from school, helped us with homework and ensured we were on time for extra curricular activities such as sports, music lessons and computer lessons. I still remember, like it was yesterday that mom would return from her night shift then immediately take me on the bus to school for computer classes. Never once have I heard her utter feeling tired. She always has a smile on her face. A wonderful, gentle lady with a heart of gold.
Dad was a clerk at a multinational corporation. He worked on a regular 9am-5pm, 5 days week job. In his free time, Dad ventured into other businesses after work to supplement his income. He started up a band that played at weddings and parties, opened up a video game shop and even tried his hands at selling clothes. He would normally return home well after 12 midnight. It was thus a ritual for my brothers and I to stay up to see what surprises he'd bring back for us. We would excitedly greet him at the gate and help bring in his luggage. Then we'd sit down together to savour the "Roti Canai or "Char Kuey Teow" before being rushed off to bed. Dad always ensured we had the best. He taught us the value of money but most importantly to earn it with Integrity.
Years have gone by and I now find myself being a father. We take the kids along to visit mom and dad on the weekends and I'm delighted to feel the same sense of familiarity seeing them live their values of Working with a Purpose, Love, Integrity and Unity.
I'm glad I found my real Superheroes.
Who is your superhero?
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