One hot day, my father had to get a new passport photo at the immigration office. Patience isn’t exactly his strong suit, and that day, it was tested to the limit.

By the time it was his turn for the photo, he was already frustrated from waiting and the verification process. The immigration officer, a serious guy who probably didn’t crack a smile all day, told him to sit down and look at the camera without smiling.

My father, who wasn’t in the mood for instructions, rolled his eyes and sat down with a face that clearly said, “Let’s get this over with.” The officer snapped the photo quickly, probably sensing dad’s irritation.

After 10 minutes, the passport was ready. When we saw the photo, we all burst into laughter. There it was my father’s grumpy face, now officially documented.

“Well,” he said, looking at the photo, “at least they’ll know I mean business.”

Every time he showed his passport, it got a laugh. Friends and families would comment, “You don’t look too happy to be traveling.”

And my father with a twinkle in his eye, would always reply, “Let this be a lesson. Patience is a virtue, especially at the immigration office!