Hospital

It has been more than a week now that my dad is admitted to hospital after suffered a stroke. I walked in and out of the hospital and somehow, this feeling of familiarities struck me and so, I was reminded. I was reminded of how many times I was being admitted to hospital and out of the hospital. I remember the first time when I was admitted. I remember which ward I was in.. I remember, my dad carried me with his two hands up and down the hospital (I was almost unconscious then). Besides being admitted, I remember I visited church members, family members so many times in the same hospital. I always follow my dad for hospital visits and others. I went with my dad for his regular check up here in the same hospital for a couple of times too.

I left Tawau for quite a number of years and for many years, I have not visited this hospital until recent years where I followed my dad for one baptism in the hospital. Now, this whole week,.... I visited my dad himself.... I met so many people who came to visit him these few days and told him: "Rev Lin, you used to pray a lot for us, now we want to pray for you.". I am seriously touched and amazed with the amount of people who came to visit dad this whole week. Nurses asked me who is my dad, whether he is a Datuk. Some nurses found out from their colleagues that my dad was their teacher and/or headmaster. Parents of dad students came and visit and told us how grateful they are for having him as their children's teacher once. One Haji even told us now all his children is successful and all because of my dad and he keep saying "Dia yang paling bagus sekali".

While I reached the lift this afternoon, I met about 7 people going up to visit my dad. When the lift stopped at Level 5 and the door opened, I saw another few familiar faces... as I walked towards my dad's bed, I saw a big crowd of people, including my ex-boss/master. He asked me whether he can just talked to him and thank him for what he has done to him and his wife's family.

I am touched.... he used to visit people and prayed for people in the hospital... and many were blessed through him.... and I am so proud to be his daughter, the one he said "that's my girl" and "I know you can do it" when I was discussing my steps of recovery from what I am suffering from. He is not only my dad, he is my best friend, guidance and advisor both spiritually and socially. When I told him I got my housemate moved out, all he said was "it's alright... it's you who has problem. Sort it out ... they will be your best friend again after you receovered". I managed to pick myself up after that conversation ... and I am better... and better each day. I didn't hear him praying for me.... but my mom always told me, my dad always intercede for me. He knees down and prayed for me every single night.

I was not admitted to the hospital (building). But while I was in the 'hospital', he has always been around and prayed for me. He "visited" me in the 'hospital' indeed. I am thankful to God for such a great dad! A dad who is never a stranger to any kind of hospital.

- Hospital -