MY FATHERS STEREO
By: Mohamed Ariff Bin Mohamed Ali
“To abah; for always being there even when you are not”
The Wikipedia defines stereophonic sound, commonly called stereo, as ‘the reproduction of sound using two or more independent audio channels through a symmetrical configuration of loudspeakers in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing. It is often contrasted with monophonic, or "mono" sound, where audio is in the form of one channel, often centered in the sound field’. Ask a stereo junky and probably he/she would say that a stereo is not merely the above but probably also an instrument to escape the hustle and bustle that is life. My father is or would I say was that sort of person.
All my life, it has been ingrained in my head that my father is a disciplined, no nonsense kind of character. He is someone who has a penchant for collecting almost everything, from old school dhobi irons to Malaysian first day covers. On top of all that, he is also very meticulous and never leaves any stone unturned thus preventing my siblings and I to get away with any nonsense. Hence, it really puzzles me when I see a softer side to him, like when he gardens at home or the way he acts around babies. Up to this point of my writing, I bet you might wonder what this has to do with my father’s stereo.
Patience is a virtue my friend and with that the story begins. My father came from humble beginnings. Growing up (and to my recent knowledge), I know that my father (as my mother would put it) “cannot dance nor sing but the man appreciates good music”. So that was probably his justification of getting his very own stereo set which cost approximately RM 1200, known back then as “the works”. I wished I was there to see him own it. I could swear I saw a glow on his face when he recalled the memories of his stereo. The story continued with my father having to part ways with his prized possession to help finance his hantaran perkahwinan.
My father’s story was one of the most important life lessons I’ve picked up. This is because it became clear to me that at times of great importance, we have to forgo or sacrifice the things that we hold dear for something bigger that we love. Whether that ‘thing’ is an offer to pursue studies abroad versus a government job that you have always dreamt of getting, or whether it be a choice to go to your parents house or your in-laws for the first day of Raya, or even if that choice is between selling your favourite stereo to finance your wedding to the woman of your dreams. This was an important revelation for me because I understood then that whatever the crossroads we face in life, it is always advisable to take a moment and see the bigger picture of the choices we are about to take and the outcomes we are about to live with for the rest of our lives.
At the end of DPA, I too would be taking the plunge into the world of marriage. Like my father 27 years ago before me once sold his dear stereo to finance what he says today is probably his ‘best collection’ of memories that he could ever have, it is my turn to follow suit to part with my own version of a ‘stereo’. Nevertheless, I would like to look back, just like my father did 27 years down the line at my wife and (hopefully fingers crossed) our four children and say with a sense of pride that it was worth the journey and that there are no regrets whatsoever.
There are moments when I ask to myself why my father never got another stereo. I realise then that it is because my mother does not appreciate loud music (especially blaring from stereos). This only reveals strength of character in my father: compromise. But I will keep that story for another day. For now, I am just glad he gave me a good guiding light to follow and a story that I will remember him by.
Monday, November 14, 2011 4:47 PM
ReplyDeleteAriff abah.
Thank you for the kind 'review. Yes the stereo was my prized procession and yes up to this very day there is no regret. As whether I need another stereo...... I do not think so. Before you came into the world, you mum was sweet music to me. When you and your sibling came along and together with your mum it was orchestra. Slowly as you and your sibling left the house it was again sweet music with your mom buabaht recently when you and all your sibling came back for raya together with my daughter in law it was sweet orchestra again. The conductor well most of the time it is your mom as I have always being labelled as tone deaf...... to be continued