­­­­­­Happy Fathers’ Day! Happy Fathers’ Day!

Today, one of my Sunday School boy pulled me aside and said “Happy Fathers’ Day Teacher Jeremy.”

I was lost of words by the appreciation of this little boy who I’ve been teaching for the last 2 years. He did not know how I would react. I was also confused.  Just gave him a hug, squeezed his hand and said, “Thank you, Willy”. (Willy is not his real name).

I may not yet be a father, but the action of the boy left me wanting to be a father. This is not just the father, but a really good father like my dad. I did not ask the kid why he decided to wish me a “Happy Fathers’ Day” but I guess he had his reasons.

Forget about the little boy! let me tell you about this great man who may perhaps never visit this platform to read what I think about him. This is my father who I’ll stop what I’m doing and take a bow for.

He is a real hero. I have a deep and profound respect for him. My father is a man who I grew up seeing as the conqueror of the world. I grew up knowing he had special power. I believed and still believe he has solutions for every aspect in life. When something was impossible, he made it possible. My father simplified life despite its complexity.

He spoke with authority. My father would say a word and it became a rule.

My father is the man who quit the life of dressing well as he brought us up. He no longer wears designer clothes from Jade or Mr. Price. He has comfort in wearing clothes from Gikomba and the streets.

Dad has learnt to be content with only one pair of shoes which sometimes is battered because he prioritizes his family than his comfort and looking. He cares less about his image. Dad cares more about his family than his image and what the society says about him.

My father is a real warrior because even when his supervisors at work reprimanded him for the tiniest mistakes he would come home smiling. He would never let us know he had been deducted his salary because he did not meet his target. Dad knew the deductions even by one shilling would mean he could struggle buying unga for supper or kerosene to light up the house. But he did not say it. Maybe he told my mother.

He just came in evening, smiled and said, “Darling, how was your day?”

After a short conversation with mum, Dad would then turn to us and say, “Children, how was your day? Have you finished your homework?” He would then guide us if we were not yet through. Though a tough man, he is kind and compassionate. He is a diligent man. He believes in earning a fair day’s wage.

My father taught us the value of hard work and the value of being honest. He would never take what does not belong to him. Dad earned all his money. And he did it fairly. He would never allow himself to be engaged in corruption or unfair deal.

Dad is a man who is optimist about a better tomorrow for his kids and wife. When I was growing up, dad struggled to keep up with the demands of the financial institutions. Even then, he has never complained that life is too difficult. Even when the economy is too harsh, he will choose to forgo luxuries for the sake of a better future for his sons and daughter. He will choose to sacrifice his meals so that Grace and the sons have enough.

Dad is a man who when we grew up did not have an insurance cover or pensions plan. NSSF and NHIF remained a dream for him but that did not stop him from engaging in risky and hard work. He only believed God would protect him and surely he did.

I guess what keeps my father working while he should be resting is the hope in the eyes and dreams of his children and wife. He will rise up earlier than everyone else just to put food on the table. The reason why my father invests is because he knows blessed is the man who leaves inheritance to his children than who inherits.

Whose Father?

Whose father calls them at least once a day when they are 27 to ask how their day was and what they have accomplished? Only my dad: Mr. Gatonga! My dad will call you just to say “Hi” in the morning or in the evening to all his kids and wife. It is his routine. When dad calls, he must say a blessing over my life.

My peers – both boys and girl friends think its I’m a mom’s kid who is yet to grow up just because my dad’s call me. But they do not know what it means receiving that call, it motivates me. I need his prayers and blessings.

And whose father gathers his wife, sons and daughter and prays for them? My father does!

Whose father sits down with his wife, sons and daughters when he is about to make a decision? My dad does

Whose father consults his wife, sons and daughter when they are about to invest? My dad does.

Whose father trains their wife and children on godly matters? My dad does.

Whose father cares to know if you went to church at 27? My dad does.

Whose father is concerned where you earn money that you send to him? My father does.

Whose father is the greatest fan of their child’s writing? That is my dad!

Whose father is proud to introduce their sons and daughters to strangers? My father

Whose parent cares what you do for a living? My father cares

Happy Fathers’ Day to all dads!

Happy Fathers’ Day to all the amazing dads out there who are always ready to say they are dads.

Happy Father’s Day to all the men who treat their sons and daughters right.

Happy Fathers’ Day to all the men out there who care for their sons and daughters.

Thank you to all the dads who make their sons and daughters smile even when it means sacrificing a meal or their comfort.

Happy Father’s Day to all the man out there who are compassionate and kind to their sons and daughters!

May God bless you richly you all Godly men who pray and teach your children.

May the Lord keep you all fathers who are proud of their sons and daughters for a small achievement.