Fatherhood

Second to none, a father to his daughter, the one she adores, more than anyone else. It is to him she turns, when in trouble, to fight all her battles, to wipe away her tears. In his arms she feels most secure and him alone she trusts, with her very life. It is to him, she swears her allegiance.

To a son a father is, the hero he worships. The one he looks up to, the one he fearlessly steps out with, the one whose shoes he tries to fill . It is to him he takes his problems, with him he explores and discusses, his plans for the future. A father is his son’s best friend, the one who guides him, through the labyrinth called life.

A constant comfort and strength to his wife, as he helps nurture their offspring. protecting them, watching over them from birth, their safety his prime concern. His love for them demonstrated, not with hugs and kisses, but by working and toiling tirelessly. A father will sacrifice his very life, to fulfil the needs of his children, to fulfill the promise he made to them.

Though a disciplinarian, he is kind and merciful to his children. Never hasty to reprimand or rebuke, he pardons their mistakes, however great or small, forgives their misdemeanours, committed knowingly or unknowingly . Providing for their every need, he holds them close and each time they stumble or fall, his arms are ready to catch them .

It’s not long, before the children grow and leave home, to seek their destiny. The father now old and weary, having given his all to raise them . His once strong hands, wizened and weak, his once tall frame , stooped and bent. The once confident, successful individual, now lost and lonely, reaches out to his children, for love and comfort.

Life then has come a full circle I say, when the one who nourished and cherished, becomes a dependent, on the one he nurtured . Blessed are they who honour their father and mother, holding no grudge against their fallacies , forgiving them their failings, for falling short at times . Accepting, that the hero they worshipped, is but human with clay feet, and caring for them when they are most vulnerable.