Why wouldn't my father accept my money (I did it for him and he doesn't want it)?

[Anonymous]

Long ago when I was a kid (11 years old), he was sad that he couldn't win. He wanted to get to 1st place and instead made it 3rd place. The winning prize was worth 10 grant at the time. He never tried again. He gave up.

I tried cheering him up by saying not to worry, that it's just a game and I'll win it for him; that I'll give it to him. After several failures for so long, I won at the age of 25. The prize had increased to 15 grant. I tried giving it to him but he refused it. He told me to keep it and that he already won.

I'm confused. I did it for him (that was suppose to be his won) and he refused it. Yet he was so happy even after refusing it. Why didn't he accept my money?

Updates

+1 y

Weird. He lost long ago and now that I won it for him, he refuses the prize but was still happy, saying he already won.

[Anonymous]

What’s confusing? Whatever this game is he made peace with not winning and feels like he’s won at life. Unless you feel like he’s lost and want to rationalize why he doesn’t feel like a loser then there’s no reason to dig all into his feelings. You won the money, now move on and enjoy it.

[Asker]

I just asked what he won, what he meant that he already won. His answer was surprising. He said that shortly after his lose, he realize it was never the game nor its prize. To him, I am his biggest gift... it's me, my health, my happiness and successes that he's happy about. Interesting. That's what he meant by saying he already won.

[Opinion Owner]

Essentially that’s what I mean when I say he already feels like he’s won in life.