Readers of my previous blog Five by 35 will know that I spent the better part of last year fundraising for Diabetes Canada and training to run a marathon in memory of my dad, who died in 2016 after long suffering complications arising from type 2 diabetes.
But before all of that, before finding a passion in public service, even before moving to Canada's west coast - as a pre-teen, my dad would ask me to proofread materials he had written.
Frankly, he was a grumpy sort who liked to complain to various companies about things they were doing wrong and ways they could do things better. He wrote a lot of letters. In many ways, he was always trying to "get his." But having emigrated from the Philippines to Canada in 1971, with English as his second language, he wanted to make sure he was getting his point across in an effective manner.
Enter: me. Wee editor.
At first I would proofread these materials for free. Over time, I became... well, if not industrious over these requests, then definitely opportunistic. I would say he "hired" me when I started charging a dollar (or loonie, for my fellow Canucks) per letter.
Those letters were the first in a long line of materials over the years that I would proofread - not just for my dad, but for those in my work life, as well. I worked hard at being my dad's editor, and learned skills that have served me well even throughout my professional years: diligence, attention to detail, applying a critical eye to the written word.
Today would have been my dad's 80th birthday. I miss him but I am grateful for the time we had, including weird moments like discussing whether or not his grammar was correct and whether his opinions might be too strongly worded.
Happy birthday, Dad. There will never be another like you.
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| Me with my dad, as a tot and at my wedding 10 years ago |
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