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.
Happy Fathers’ Day
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.