Ron Hsu's Tribute

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, Jesus responded by starting with these words: our Father which art in heaven. I can utter these words without any problems. Since my earthly father loved me unconditionally, I can understand why Jesus said to pray to your Father in Heaven. However for some of my friends, this prayer is difficult. Their relationship with their father was turbulent and fraught with fear. They were not blessed of knowing a man like my Dad. At times, I was the envy of other kids who wanted a Dad like mine. He had his quirks like all parents do. When it came to important matters, he was a speaker of words and doer of deeds. My father loved us where he would sacrifice himself for our well being. He endured mental and physical hardships so that his children could live better lives.

His attribute of perseverance with grace and fortitude under difficult circumstances was amazing. When I was 10, my father walked 3 miles to work at downtown Frederick & Nelson from our Yesler Terrace house (near the present Harborview Hospital). Because he was tall, he was sometimes the target of bullies in this rough neighborhood. Despite being harassed at times while walking to work with his black metal lunch pail, my father would not dwell or lament about the taunting or some physical attack but talked about how he needed additional jobs to find us better housing. After 3 years, he succeeded in obtaining better housing for us at Capital Hill. He had a patient disposition and was passionate about living an upright life with Christ as our moral compass. Instead of cursing the dark, he would light a candle. Despite his infirmities with his neurological disease in his later years, he exerted himself to keep his wood burning stove consistently bright and warm during the winter months in his Lake City house.

He had a bold sense of adventure that I still am trying to capture. He did not analyze like I do with EXCEL spread sheets but with an intuition that was generally on the mark. This intuition was inspired by his daily walk with God. I remember when we started the restaurant, I feared that the safety net of a salary was gone but my father persevered with my mother and their sacrifice paid off, with all 5 siblings able to obtain sound educations and become self sufficient.

Even while struggling to maintain a family of 7, he was generous in sharing his blessings with others by helping others to buy a home, start a business or help a pastor start a church. A friend's son told me years ago of how father's assistance was instrumental in contributing to their present well being. My father helped others in need. He made use of the gifts that God provided and shared them with family, friends and strangers. He knew that by giving we receive spiritual gifts from our Father in Heaven.

We miss him and feel the pain without him. We thank God for providing our father. By his living example, my father has taught us that we can call my Father in heaven, Abba Father, anytime, anywhere, 24/ 7.