My Dad
Fathers usually have that image of being the stern, grumpy, hothead that you couldn’t approach or talk to. The disciplinarians who made life miserable for children with their palms or belts. The ogres who always got in the way of your plans with your friends. The bodyguards that dealt with those who wanted to take you out on dates.
But as far as I can remember, my Dad was never any of those. He always had a pleasing demeanor, even in the face of problems. Always smiled, always cool. I never heard him raise his voice in anger or throw a fit. He was always level-headed, and always talked softly. He was that kind of a man.
Fathers usually get a bad rap by being the above-mentioned characters in our lives. But in reality, they become that way because of their very nature to provide and protect for their families. They are the hunters, the breadwinners, the guardians.
They carry the biggest burden of providing everything to make life comfortable for their own. They deal with all that the world throws at them and more. The expectations on them are great, and they also get the biggest share of blame when things go wrong.
I have three brothers, all who have become fathers themselves. Each with their own style of rearing their children and providing for their families. All doting fathers to their children. All also fitting the descriptions I mentioned above.
I lost both my parents in 2004. My Mom passed away first, followed by my Dad a few months later at the ripe old age of 85. In times like these, how I wish that they were still around. To give advice, to listen, to provide their shoulders to cry on, and to wrap their arms around me in a tight, reassuring embrace.
Most especially with an important upcoming event in my life. I would have loved to be escorted by my Dad to the man I would spend the rest of my life with. That task is now passed on to my three brothers. But I would have loved to hear his soothing voice, and to see his ever so warm smile on that handsome face.
To all the good fathers of this world, a very Happy Father’s Day.
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