Fatherhood is one of life’s greatest blessings- an evolving journey shaped by love, sacrifice, patience, and the lessons passed from one generation to the next.
While every father’s experience is unique, the bond between a father and child is built on moments of guidance, connection, challenges overcome, and memories cherished. In this special reflection, three fathers share their personal journeys, offering heartfelt insights into the joys, responsibilities, and lifelong impact of being a father figure.
From childhood memories and raising children to embracing the role of mentor and grandfather, their stories remind us that fatherhood is not just about providing but about being present, nurturing, and leaving a legacy of love.
We asked a few fathers to share their experience as we celebrate Father's Day in June.
Father One
A special gift from God, and as all God’s gifts, Fatherhood must be cherished.
As for me, I grew up in a large family- seven siblings, and I enjoyed going to so many places with my father and listening to him share with us his experiences when he went to England on a sports scholarship. Being a father to two girls and a boy was thrilling. I just wanted to enjoy them as I had enjoyed being with my own father.
In my infancy, I faced some challenges, but the joy far outweighed the negatives. Then came infant schooling and attendance at primary School. As a father, interacting with their friends and assisting with projects were among the many joys of being a Dad.
When they became teenagers, I faced myriad challenges. Dealing with puberty, then the sleepovers and going to parties: an ongoing task, but a learning experience. Of course, like all teenagers, they would push the envelope to test my tolerance and patience. Many times, I recall reminding them that,” I was still the father!” I would not trade fatherhood for anything!
Father Two
Chinese Proverb: “Not having a child is like a broken branch.” Your name, your DNA (in a primordial way), your legacy (in a Renaissance way). Before the experience of fatherhood, like me, men want children and expect the women to do the main child-rearing work, and they do the bread-winning. Now that three hours of my job include taking care of two children, I have a much more realistic picture of the exhausting and highly demanding work that is real fatherhood. I can do three hours on my own, but find the twenty-four hours that women do, as if it is almost nothing, amazing.
Children want the attention and engagement with the father-figure. They want to be played with, toys, walks, parting fights, consoling and listening to their woes and their triumphs. I am their favourite uncle, their bodyguard for three hours.
To have children and provide them with the life chances and opportunities they deserve requires money. I work near a very wealthy business area where there are, in addition to the elegant high-rise buildings of millionaire businessmen and women, a children’s park with every conceivable structure for fun and games and in the next block, a huge public park. I am not a millionaire.
Father Three
"Happy Father's Day" and "Happy Birthday" greetings both express a deep sentiment between a father, his offspring, and the child's mother. That feeling is enhanced when decency, understanding, visitations, and patience are forever practised. Times have changed, but all generations of parents must always do what is right in the guidance of their children.
The biggest challenge, yes challenge, and reward of a father is witnessing the birth of a healthy grandchild.
Eulogy to Dad Number Four
My husband was an extremely devoted father to our four children. At one stage, I suggested that we get a babysitter, and he said that I should go out whenever I wanted, but he would never go out and leave his children. Apart from going out to earn a living, he would always take one or more of the children or the entire family.
My husband was an extremely devoted father to our four children. At one stage, I suggested that we get a babysitter, and he said that I should go out whenever I wanted, but he would never go out and leave his children. Apart from going out to earn a living, he would always take one or more of the children or the entire family.
He loved helping the children (and their friends also) with their maths and science homework, especially at the secondary school stage. As a result, they were all successful in their postgraduate studies and obtained employment. He was extremely generous and taught his children and many others to see all people as valuable and deserving of kindness, justice and resources.
My husband was very hardworking. As a good cook, he did most of the cooking and would also help with washing and cleaning. He was very sociable, humorous and quick-witted. Whenever he was around, life always felt like great fun.